Three men are in custody after taking a local taxi driver hostage during a car chase with New Westminster police Thursday morning.
Around 9 a.m. on March 12, officers were called to Wal-Mart at Queensborough Landing after reports three men had threatened staff with a weapon and fled the store with an undisclosed amount of stolen property. While police were enroute, they were informed the three suspects had jumped into a nearby taxi and fled the scene, according to a media release from New Westminster police.
As officers approached the scene, the taxi was spotted still carrying the three suspects and travelling eastbound in the 1400 block of Stewardson Way. Police turned around an attempted a traffic stop but the taxi kept on driving, stated the release.
Concerned for the safety of the taxi driver, who was just an unlucky victim in this incident, according to Sgt. Chad Johnston, spokesperson for the New Westminster Police Department, police initiated a low speed pursuit and followed the vehicle over the Pattullo Bridge into Surrey. The taxi eventually stopped in the 10400 block of King George Boulevard and one of the suspects fled from the vehicle. Officers were able to apprehend the suspect on foot as well as the remaining two who had stayed in the taxi, the release added.
“Teamwork and the careful decision making of our members were key in bringing this situation to a safe resolution,” said Chief Const. Dave Jones in the release. “The decision to initiate a pursuit is not taken lightly and in this situation, the safety of the taxi driver and the general public was of the utmost importance.”
All three suspects were taken into custody and are awaiting their first court appearance. As the investigating is ongoing, charges have yet to be laid against the three men, and are expected some time on Monday, Johnston said.
