No officers were hurt after a man allegedly rammed a police vehicle as RCMP were attempting to arrest him at a Fairview Avenue store Monday.
Members of Penticton’s targeted enforcement unit had earlier observed 40-year-old Virgil Paul driving an unlicensed car (while prohibited) on Rosetown Avenue and followed it to the Fairview location.
Police then pulled in behind Paul’s vehicle to block it in the parking stall when the alleged ramming happened, according to Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth.
As a second marked police car moved into position while he was attempting to flee at which point the suspect fled on foot through yards in the Huth Avenue and Nesbitt Crescent areas.
RCMP members from the targeted enforcement unit, municipal traffic services and general duty section set up containment and eventually located Paul in a residential yard and arrested him.
A search of his car turned up open alcohol, brass knuckles and drug paraphernalia. At the time Paul had four outstanding arrest warrants.
“This was a great team effort once again by all of our police officers on duty,” said Wrigglesworth. “Thankfully no police officers or members of our community were hurt during this completely reckless act.”
Paul was held in custody overnight and was scheduled to appear in provincial court Tuesday.
Charges recommended include, prohibited driving, assaulting two police officers, possession of a prohibited weapon, two counts of breaching a court order, refusal to provide a breath sample, flight from police and obstruction of a police officer.