Prohibited driver on motorcycle flees from police in Carbonear

RCMP arrested 29-year old Lewis Sooley after fleeing police in Carbonear.

On Wednesday morning an officer on patrol in Carbonear and observed a motorcycle matching the description of one that fled from police several times recently.

A traffic stop was attempted and the driver fled from police through the community at a high rate of speed and, at one point in time, was travelling on only the rear wheel. The officer did not pursue in the interest of public safety.

A short time later, the motorcycle, which had crashed, was located at the intersection of London Road and Route 70.

A quantity of cash and drug paraphernalia were found on the roadway at the crash scene and the driver was attempting to push the motorcycle down Route 70.

Upon the arrival of police, the driver abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot into a wooded area. Officers from Harbour Grace and Bay Roberts detachments set up containment of the area and contacted RCMP Police Dog Services.

Police Service Dog Grinch and his handler attended the scene, tracked into the woods and located the man, Lewis Sooley, who was taken into custody without further incident.

Sooley is charged with four counts of prohibited operation of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, and breach of probation.