REGINA – One man’s infatuation with fire sparked a police chase and a high-risk stop.
Police were sent to the 6200 block of Balzer Street on March 8 for an initial mischief report.
“Information received was that a male was attempting to light a fire,” said RPS in a media release. “When police arrived and attempted to speak to the male, he got into a vehicle and fled. This vehicle was observed by police to be driving in a dangerous manner, at high rates of speed, throughout the city.”
Police identified the vehicle as one recently stolen from Balgonie, featuring equally stolen license plates that did not match the vehicle.
“Police successfully deployed a tire deflation device but the vehicle continued to drive with deflated tires both in and outside the city of Regina,” RPS said.
Once in Emerald Park, the suspect abandoned the initial vehicle in favour of one with inflated tires - conveniently already running with the doors unlocked. The suspect headed back for Regina, and police again deployed a tire deflation device.
“This stolen vehicle then drove south of Regina and the vehicle finally came to a stop at a farm yard where police performed a high-risk vehicle stop and arrested the male,” said RPS.
Once identified, police discovered the suspect was subject to warrants and also in violation of conditions of a release order and probation. A further search of the man yielded a knife and identification not belonging to the suspect.
Through investigation, police determined the suspect was also involved in a stolen vehicle incident on the 2300 block of Quance Street back on March 3, and another vehicle theft not he 900 block of Dewdney Avenue on March 6.
Justin Warner McDonald, 31, of Regina was charged with two counts each possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, dangerous driving, identity fraud; and single counts possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, theft of a motor vehicle, flight from police, failure to comply with a probation order, and failure to comply with a release order.
McDonald appeared in court on these charges March 9.
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