An investigation of an impaired driving complaint led to the RCMP arresting two people in an allegedly stolen truck last Thursday, according to a press release.
Hope RCMP detachment commander Staff Sgt. Karol Rehdner said that they are pressing criminal charges against Jonathan Graham Jarvis, 35, of Coquitlam for possession of stolen property, dangerous driving and he also has to answer to an outstanding warrant of arrest from Surrey. Ashley Rose Sandra Carder, 27, of New Westminster, also faces charges of possession of stolen property.
They appeared in court on this week in Chilliwack, according to court attendance lists.
Rehdner said a plainclothes police officer located the suspect vehicle soon after receiving the impaired driving complaint driving on Highway 5 and determined that the vehicle was stolen. The vehicle was stolen earlier around Burnaby.
Police intercepted the vehicle at a Petro-Canada gas station on the Old Hope Princeton Way.
“Police officers quickly converged on the address where the alleged driver rammed a police vehicle in an attempt to evade them,” said Rehdner. “The two occupants of the auto were taken into custody by police.
”Both individuals remain in custody pending court appearances later in August.
“Fortunately no one was injured in the collision. Criminals travel across municipal jurisdictions and our officers can never jump to assumptions when investigating reports. What appears to be one thing on the surface is often another thing underneath.”
Julie Nicholls witnessed the event and said it happened around 4 p.m. that Thursday. She described the gas station as “crowded,” and was pumping gas when she heard squealing tires.
“I thought that’s really weird. Who’s speeding in a parking lot jammed with cars?” said Nicholls. “And then I heard a crunch.”
Two vehicles collided into each other and she saw smoke and liquid spewing from the truck. At that time, she also noticed people trying to get out of the way.