A 31-year-old parolee is headed back to prison after police say he played a damaging game of bumper cars inside an Abbotsford car lot.

Surveillance footage taken at the Windmill Auto Sales lot on South Fraser Way shortly after midnight shows a Pontiac Firefly crashing into several unoccupied parked vehicles as it circles the fenced property.

A patrol officer in the area stopped to investigate after apparently hearing an engine rev in the otherwise quiet lot, but soon found himself in danger.

Abbotsford Police say the driver, crashing his way through the lot, intentionally tried to hit the officer, and just narrowly missed.

The suspect was arrested when more officers arrived to help wrestle him from the car.

Const. Ian MacDonald said the accused, who was arrested after additional officers arrived, had a “unique M.O.”

“Attempting to steal from a car dealership lot and then essentially wedging yourself in by the other parked vehicles. Nonetheless an important arrest for us and a dangerous circumstance that’s for sure,” he told CTV Vancouver.

“Upon reflection he might have elected to steal one of the cars on the perimeter rather than one of the centre but nonetheless, we caught the bad guy and things could have been much worse.”

Eight vehicles sustained damage in the melee and police are recommending charges of possession of stolen property, mischief and dangerous damage.

The suspect’s parole has been suspended and he’s been returned to a correctional institute.