Three Saanich police officers narrowly avoided injuries on Tuesday night, February 2,  during a traffic stop at Tillicum Mall. The incident began around 8:45 p.m, when a patrol officer pulled over a grey Hummer. Two plain clothed officers stopped to assist the uniformed Saanich officer.

The 28 year old man driving the Hummer is well-known to police and the 27 year old woman passenger was the owner of the vehicle.

When the officers were talking to the driver and passenger they spotted a white powder believed to be cocaine or heroin..

When the officers tried to arrest the driver he suddenly accelerated with the driver’s door open, nearly running over one of the police officers. The door frame of the Hummer struck one of the officer’s hands, while one of the other officer’s arms was contacted by the passenger side of the Hummer.

The vehicle sped away and travelled through several stop signs in the area. A short while later police located the Hummer empty but seized drug evidence believed to be heroin. Both suspects were arrested the next day by Victoria Police, with the assistance of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team.

Police investigators are recommending a number of criminal charges which include Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Assaulting a Police Officer, Obstruction and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

(2010-2663)