A couple who led police on a high-speed chase through Metro Vancouver Monday remain on the lam, but their getaway vehicle has been recovered.
One of the fugitives allegedly pulled a gun on patrolling police officers who found them sleeping in a car in New Westminster, sparking a tense manhunt that continued through neighbouring Burnaby and Vancouver.
He aimed the gun at police and pulled the trigger, according to police, but the weapon didn’t fire.
“We consider ourselves and that member a little bit lucky,” Sgt. Chad Johnston of the New Westminster Police Department said.
“A lot lucky.”
The couple, a man and woman, then sped away from the scene in a rented Buick Lacrosse, taking a small dog along with them.
The vehicle was involved in a multiple hit-and-runs while being pursued by police, then found hours later ditched in the driveway of a home in southeast Vancouver.
“The resident who resides at this home was away for the day,” Johnston said. “When they got home they saw this vehicle parked in the driveway, obviously didn’t recognize it and contacted Vancouver police immediately.”
The suspects have no connection to the home, according to law enforcement, and appear to have chosen it at random.
Police haven’t confirmed who the man and woman are, but the rental car, which has Alberta licence plates, may help identify them.
“Our forensic team will do their thing, work their magic, and see what they can pull off it,” Johnston said.
They are considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees them is advised not to approach them but asked to call 911 immediately.
The man with a gun is described as white with dark hair, a soul patch and a hoop earring in his left ear. He has full sleeve tattoos on his arms and a tattoo on his neck and was seen wearing a short-sleeve shirt and a black baseball cap.
The woman is described as white with reddish-orange hair and acne or pock marks on her face. She was wearing a tank top and tights with a flower pattern.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson
