Police arrest two after deploying spike belt on stolen vehicle

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary arrested two people Thursday night following a vehicle theft and police pursuit that began in Conception Bay South and ended in St. John’s.

Around 8:00 p.m., officers with the RNC’s Operational Patrol Services responded to a report of a vehicle theft in progress in the Fowlers Road area of CBS. Although police were initially unable to locate the stolen vehicle, officers later spotted it on a west-end road in St. John’s.

When police attempted a traffic stop, the male driver refused to pull over and fled from officers. A spike belt was deployed, successfully disabling the vehicle. The driver, a 24-year-old man, and a 15-year-old female passenger were arrested at the scene. Police believe the driver was impaired.

The 24-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including:

• Flight from police

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

• Possession of property obtained by crime

• Fail/refusal to provide a breath sample

• Assaulting a peace officer

• Resisting arrest

• Driving while prohibited

• Fail to stop at the scene of an accident

• Breach of probation

• Three counts of failure to comply with an undertaking
  

Police say the same man was charged in a similar incident on September 29.

The 15-year-old passenger has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime and breach of a release order.

Both individuals were held in custody to appear in court on Friday morning.