Prolific offender arrested after vehicle theft, flight from police

A man no stranger to the justice system is once again behind bars.

Both the RCMP and the RNC are investigating after Jesse Lewis was arrested on Monday evening. Lewis, who was the subject of an active police warrant, was taken into custody after he was located in a stolen vehicle in Conception Harbour.

On Monday, police received a report that a sport utility vehicle had been stolen from a parking lot in Avondale. Officers identified Lewis from the surveillance footage and engaged a Critical Incident Commander as police worked to locate and contain both the vehicle and Lewis.

The vehicle, driver and passenger were located in Conception Harbour. The driver, 28-year-old Jesse Lewis, attempted to flee unsuccessfully and was arrested without further incident. A female passenger was also arrested, and both individuals were transported to the Harbour Grace RCMP detachment.

Lewis is being held in custody pending an appearance in Provincial Court. He is charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from peace officer, resisting and obstructing a peace officer, operation of a conveyance while prohibited, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, six counts of failure to comply with a condition of a release order, mischief over $5,000 – damage to motor vehicle, and theft of a motor vehicle.

He appeared in court yesterday in relation to charges from an unrelated incident on November 9, including five counts of failure to comply with a condition of a release order, two counts of failure to comply with a probation order, operation of a conveyance while prohibited, assault with a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, and robbery.

The female passenger of the stolen vehicle, 27-year-old Samantha Connors, was also arrested and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failure to comply with a release order condition, flight from a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and theft of a motor vehicle.

Over the weekend, RCMP and RNC responded to reports of flights from police and a motor vehicle collision involving a separate vehicle reported stolen on November 18 in Bay Roberts.

On Sunday, November 23, RNC Operational Patrol Services responded toa service station on Kenmount Road where Lewis had stopped for gas. He fled as officers arrived on scene, colliding with a taxi and two RNC patrol vehicles.

A very short pursuit was shut down for public safety, as the driver is known to police and has a dangerous history of driving offences. The vehicle was later recovered by police. Lewis faces a number of charges in relation to that incident, including flight, dangerous operation, two counts of driving while prohibited, failure to remain at the scene of a collision, possession of stolen property, breach of release order, and breach of probation.

The investigations into these incidents continue, and additional charges are possible.