A man who fled a Halifax crime scene in a canoe is facing multiple charges.

Halifax Regional Police said they received a call at 2:50 p.m. AT on Wednesday, about a break in at a residence on Cedarbank Terrace, in an outlying part of the city. A suspect was fleeing the scene in a red canoe and attempted to use the Northwest Arm, a waterway that runs through the city and connects to its harbour, as his escape route, said police.

The accused faces charges including breaking and entering, possession of housebreaking tools, and theft.

A Good Samaritan took two officers out in his boat to help with the pursuit, but by the time they got organized, the suspect had made it to land.

The 20-year-old man was arrested at Sir Sandford Fleming Park at just after 3:30 p.m. The police canine unit was also involved.

A forensic identification team was on the scene to identify items, though police would not say what those items were.

Police would also not say if the canoe was stolen.