British Columbia

Man arrested in Surrey after stealing, crashing car with dog inside, then pepper-spraying person

The owner of the stolen car, who witnessed the theft, flagged down another passing vehicle to give chase.

Owner of stolen car witnessed the theft and flagged down another vehicle to give chase

Surrey RCMP say one person is recovering after being pepper sprayed while in pursuit of a suspected car thief. (CBC)

A man is in custody following a string of crimes in Surrey, B.C., late Thursday

RCMP say just before 9 p.m. PT they received a call that a vehicle had been stolen from around 104 Avenue and 144 Street.

The owner of the car, who had left his dog inside, witnessed the theft. He flagged down a passing car who helped him chase his stolen vehicle. 

They followed it to 102 Avenue and City Parkway near Surrey Central SkyTrain Station, where it had rear-ended another vehicle. 

The suspect fled on foot and was followed by another citizen, who was then pepper-sprayed by the assailant. 

Shortly afterwards, police say they spotted the man and took him into custody without incident. 

The suspect was taken to jail in Surrey and is facing a number of charges, including motor vehicle theft and assault. 

RCMP Staff Sgt. Duane Honeyman says the person who was pepper-sprayed was treated on scene by paramedics and is fine. 

Honeyman says the dog was located close to where the car was stolen, after the suspect let the dog out before he fled. 

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