Man was reportedly pepper-sprayed during a carjacking; stolen car was then involved in several collisions

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A man has been arrested after a crime spree that left several people hurt in Downtown Vancouver Thursday morning.

It started at about 8:40 a.m. in the parking lot at Cambie and Pender Streets. A man called police, reporting that he had been pepper-sprayed during a carjacking.

“A man made his way up to the third level and came across what he believed to be a theft from auto,” explained Cst. Jason Doucette with the VPD. “The driver of the vehicle got out and he challenged the person that looked like he was breaking into a car. At that time, he was threatened. The suspect actually jumped into the citizen’s vehicle and sped away.”

Doucette said the suspect drove out and started driving erratically and got into several collisions in the area of W. Georgia and Hamilton Streets, leaving one person hurt.

“This driver was completely irresponsible… He bounced off a number of vehicles, some trash cans, he hit a pedestrian.”

The pedestrian has serious but non-life threatening injuries.

“The suspect got out of the vehicle and ran off. He started going down W. Georgia Street, where he came into contact with a number of construction workers, who challenged the man and went to take him into custody. They were bear-sprayed by this guy,” said Doucette.

The construction workers were able to hold the suspect until police could arrive.

“Be good witnesses… we encourage you to call the police”

Doucette said while they appreciate help from the public, you should never do anything you are not comfortable with.

“Be good witnesses. Give us a call, let us know what you see. If you feel that within your limits, you want to jump into action… you have do what you feel is right at the time. But we encourage you to call the police and let us deal with it.”

Investigators don’t know whether the 27-year-old suspect was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Police will be recommending several charges related to dangerous driving, robbery, and assault with a weapon. They do not believe this was a targeted act of violence.

Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is asked to give them a call.

– With files from Travis Prasad