Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree

A Victoria police vehicle is shown in this undated photo. (File)

A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital.

The Victoria Police Department is now looking for additional witnesses and victims as it continues its investigation of Judyann Marie Desjarlais.

The woman, who is 38 years old according to online court records, appeared in court on Christmas Day and was charged with the following offences, according to VicPD:

• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Dangerous operation of a conveyance
• Failure to stop
• Operation of a conveyance while impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Driving while prohibited
• Possession of stolen property
• Breach of probation

The offences allegedly occurred on Christmas Eve.

Just before noon that day, VicPD officers received a report of a "motor vehicle incident" near the intersection of Heywood and Oliphant avenues, the department said in a news release Friday.

"Upon further investigation, police discovered that seven parked vehicles had been damaged in a hit and run incident," the release reads. "Investigators report that a female driver in a stolen white Honda Civic was observed in the vicinity, swerving on the roads and colliding with parked vehicles."

Officers located the stolen vehicle after it was driven into another parked vehicle near the intersection of Fort Street and Pemberton Road, police said, adding that the driver had fled the scene.

The suspect was located nearby and taken into custody.

"Investigators believe there may be additional damage to vehicles and property, and they are asking witnesses and individuals with information to come forward," police said.

Specifically, police said, witnesses have reported erratic driving in the following areas:

• 1000 block of Pandora Avenue
• 200 – 1300 block of Cook Street
• 900 – 1000 block of Park Boulevard
• 900 – block of Heywood Avenue
• 900 – 1000 block of Pendergast Street
• 400 – 1500 block of Fairfield Road
• 300 – 400 block of Stannard Avenue
• 1500 block of Richardson Street
• 500 – 600 block of St Charles Street
• 700 – 1000 block of Pemberton Road

Anyone with information related to Tuesday's incident who has not already spoken to police is asked to call the E-Comm Report Desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1 and reference file number 24-47569, police said. Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

The next court appearance for Desjarlais is scheduled for Jan. 2.