Vernon Ave runs in front of the Saanich Police Department and is one directional, ie. for northbound traffic only.  So it was odd that at about 3am this morning, a Saanich officer, leaving the department onto Vernon Ave would see a van driving south across her bow.

The officer followed the brown Dodge Caravan and attempted to stop it.  The van continued on its way against the one-way signs until turning up Cloverdale Ave.  It did not stop for the police car following it with emergency lights and siren on, and seemed to be trying to elude the officer.

The van made a couple of quick turns onto Inverness Ave and then onto Quadra St before zipping into a parking lot for an apartment complex in the 3200 block of Quadra.  When the officers pulled in behind it, they found the passenger door wide open and the van unoccupied.  Neighbours from balconies above shouted that three men had just run from the van.

It turned out that the van had been stolen from Victoria just hours earlier.

A Canine officer tracked the men through side streets, parking lots and backyards until losing the track by the intersection of Saanich Rd and Oak St.

Inside the van was a bicycle and bolt cutters.  Neither items belonged to the owner of the van.

If you have any information about this crime, please call the Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

(09-31285)