A dangerous chase involving a stolen fishing boat off the Prince Rupert coast Monday night has led to one man being arrested.
The fishing boat was reported stolen out of Port Hardy on Sunday, June 15, and had been spotted south of Prince Rupert the next day.
RCMP and a West Coast Marine Services vessel responded and attempted to intercept the boat, but the situation escalated with the operator trying to evade police on the water in the dark.
The operator allegedly fired flares at police, attempted to ram a responding RCMP vessel, and was using the boat’s VHF radio to threaten police.
The pursuit lasted for more than an hour and ended after the suspect ran the fishing boat aground where police safely arrested them.
Acting Seargeant with West Coast Marine Services Cpl. Jeff Haney said there was a high level of risk involved given the unpredictable actions of the operator.
“We are glad this situation was safely resolved with the suspect being taken into custody, with nobody getting injured.”
The operator was a 25-year-old man and charges will be recommended against him.
The stolen boat was recovered and towed from the area.
