Members of the Fort St. John RCMP responded to reports of a female in distress on July 28th at 7:25 p.m.
According to police, the FSJ RCMP received “multiple reports” of a female passenger in distress, potentially being held against her will, in a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed in the area of Cecil Lake, northeast of the city.
Law enforcement says frontline police officers attended and located a vehicle matching the description of the reports and attempted a traffic stop. The driver allegedly collided with a police vehicle during the incident and is said to have fled the scene at a high rate of speed.
Officers proceeded to initiate a pursuit based on known information in an attempt to preserve the safety of the passenger. Eventually, police say the suspect came to a stop in a field in the Rose Prairie Road/Cecil Lake Road area.
Initial investigation revealed that the female was the male driver’s partner and that there was an infant in the vehicle at the time. Police say both the female and baby appeared well, but were transported to the hospital as a precaution.
The driver was arrested on scene and transported to the nearby RCMP detachment where he was released on protective conditions.
The suspect was charged with alleged dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, endangering a child, and additional charges under the Motor Vehicle Act.
He is expected to appear in court on September 9th later this year.
