‘Prolific offender’ arrested after stealing police car and endangering families at an East Vancouver park: VPD

According to the Vancouver Police Department, a man with a lengthy criminal record is back in custody after he stole a patrol car Sunday morning and drove it into a park where families and children had gathered.

In a statement released Sunday, VPD said officers were called to the area of ​​East Hastings and Semlin Drive around 10:45 a.m. to assist a woman in distress. As they got out to help her, a man got into the unattended police SUV and drove away.

The vehicle was then driven into a field at Templeton Park where children were playing soccer and families were gathering near the playground.

“This reckless and criminal behavior could have killed or seriously injured innocent people,” VPD Sgt. Steve Addison said in the statement. A man was nearly hit and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

“It’s hard to overstate how dangerous this behavior was.”

Police said the 41-year-old suspect was arrested by a canine unit about three minutes after the car was taken over. The man was treated in hospital for his injuries after being apprehended by the police dog.

Officers are recommending multiple charges of theft, possession of stolen property and traffic offenses. According to police, the suspect has more than 50 criminal convictions.

“We expect the courts to take this very seriously,” Addison added.