The RCMP Emergency Response Team, police dogs and a helicopter converged on Port Alberni Friday afternoon (July 22) after a man who stole a BC Ambulance Service support vehicle on the west coast was spotted in the central Island city.

The support vehicle害羞草研究所攏ot an ambulance害羞草研究所攚as stolen in Ucluelet around 1:45 p.m. that day, Port Alberni RCMP Const. Richard Johns said. The emergency response team and helicopter were called in after Ucluelet RCMP made contact with the man and determined that he was potentially armed with a crossbow and a shotgun.

Police received a report from a homeowner near Airport Road, west of Port Alberni, that the man and BCAS vehicle were on his property; all available units from Port Alberni RCMP joined the pursuit.

害羞草研究所淢embers were able to engage the vehicle in Port Alberni as well as Ucluelet,害羞草研究所� Johns said. An RCMP member spotted the stolen vehicle on Coleman Road and attempted to stop it, but the man 害羞草研究所渢ook off at a high rate of speed,害羞草研究所� according to Johns. Because RCMP were able to track the vehicle害羞草研究所檚 GPS they did not give chase.

At 4 p.m. the vehicle was recovered and officers found the man nearby. 害羞草研究所淗e was arrested without issue,害羞草研究所� Johns said.

The man was a suspect in a case of a stolen vehicle and uttering threats in View Royal and multiple break and enters in Sooke between July 19 and 20.

Ucluelet was full of tourists from July 22-24 for the annual Ukee Days celebration at the fairgrounds.

害羞草研究所淲e received a lot of reports from the public,害羞草研究所� Johns said. 害羞草研究所淧eople had a lot of concern for a BCAS vehicle that was being operated in a manner that was odd,害羞草研究所� and that the person behind the wheel did not look like a paramedic, he said.

害羞草研究所淲e appreciated the reports from the public, as well as the response from the Emergency Response Team, RCMP Dog Services and air aid.害羞草研究所�

One man is in custody and was awaiting a bail hearing Monday, he added.

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