Man charged after stealing Vancouver police cruiser, driving it around park
The man accused of stealing a Vancouver police cruiser and taking it for a joyride in a public park over the weekend has been criminally charged, authorities announced Monday.
Forty-one-year-old Dustin Walter Tallio—who police describe as a “prolific offender” with more than 50 previous criminal convictions—has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and failing to stop for police.
Around 10:45 a.m. Sunday, after officers were flagged down by a woman who was screaming in distress near East Hastings and Semlin Drive, police allege Tallio got into the cruiser and drove it into Templeton Park, where families with small children were playing.
When asked Monday if police have a protocol when leaving their vehicles, VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said, “Our expectation is that when our officers stop their vehicles and get out of their cars to help somebody that somebody’s not going to get in the car and steal it.”
Videos posted to social media show the driver doing donuts in the field and bystanders cautioning others to keep their distance.
When police arrive on scene—three minutes later, according to Addison—the suspect is seen getting out of the cruiser and beginning to run away, but a police dog quickly catches him.
One bystander received minor injuries during the incident and was taken to hospital, according to police, however Addison said it’s unclear whether the pedestrian was struck by the stolen police car.
The suspect was also treated in hospital “for injuries sustained while being apprehended by the police dog,” police said.
"It's certainly not something you expect to see on a Sunday morning. You certainly don't expect to see a marked police vehicle being driven in that way,” Addison told CTV News Sunday. “It became quickly apparent to people who were there though, that it wasn't a police officer driving that vehicle and that it was a stolen vehicle. We actually had families, people that were in that park, who quickly called 911 and were reporting to us what they were seeing."
Online court records indicate Tallio remains in custody.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
Trump expected to name Marco Rubio secretary of state, reports say
Donald Trump selected U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, sources said on Monday, putting Rubio on track to be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat.
Northern Ontario teen recovering in hospital after being attacked; ex-boyfriend charged with attempted murder
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.
23andMe cuts 40 per cent of its workforce, discontinues all therapy programs
Genetic testing firm 23andMe said on Monday it is reducing about 40 per cent, or 200 employees, from its workforce and discontinuing all its therapies.
'Your body, my choice': Attacks on women surge on social media following U.S. election
Sexist and abusive attacks on women, like 'your body, my choice' and 'get back to the kitchen,' have surged across social media since Trump’s reelection.
Dr. Ronald Weiss, Ottawa's 'Wayne Gretzky' of vasectomies, dies
Dr. Ronald Weiss, who performed nearly 60,000 vasectomies on Ottawa men, establishing him as the "Wayne Gretzky" of the procedure, has died.
Megan Fox is expecting a baby with Machine Gun Kelly
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are expecting to grow their family. Fox announced her pregnancy in a social media post Monday.
Montreal man facing first-degree murder in woman's death; accused was on bail after allegedly threatening her
A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats against his partner is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.
Kitchener, Ont. teen facing 29 charges after serious threats made against schools, businesses and people
A 15-year-old boy from Kitchener, Ont. is facing a long list of criminal charges as the Waterloo Regional Police Service wraps up a lengthy swatting investigation.