Police dogs, fisherman assist in arrest of P.E.I. dangerous driving suspect
RCMP says suspect took off his clothes and hid out in the water to avoid detection
It took a canine unit, a police boat and a passing fisherman, but a man suspected in a string of dangerous driving incidents in P.E.I. was finally arrested late Monday morning.
Earlier Monday, Summerside Police Services had obtained a warrant for Jerman Jah Payne, 29, after he was alleged to have stolen a 2015 Dodge Journey a day earlier.
The suspect was widely reported to be driving dangerously in various locations around Prince County overnight Sunday into Monday morning, evading police several times.
At some point, the driver crashed the vehicle and then is thought to have stolen at least one other vehicle — a Ford F150 pickup truck — to flee from police for a short time.
Just before 11:30 a.m. came another warning: "RCMP are advising the public in the Roxbury, P.E.I., area this individual has fled on foot on the Tuplin Road. Ensure all vehicles are locked and make sure there is no easy access to residences."
Thanks to several reports from members of the public, RCMP said they were able to contain the suspect to an area around Cascumpec, in West Prince.
Detected among the oysters
"The suspect discarded his clothing in an attempt to throw off police dogs and entered the water, attempting to hide amongst oyster cages. A passing fisherman supported police with a boat, and Tyne Valley Fire Services boat was also used by police in apprehending the suspect," an RCMP release said.
The arrest was confirmed at 12:20 p.m.
"The suspect faces multiple charges and RCMP will be opposing the individual's release," the news release said.
Another truck being sought
On Monday afternoon, Summerside police said they were also investigating a possible link to the theft of a municipal works vehicle from a Summerside Electric lot on Sunday or early Monday.
The City of Summerside truck with the license plate 658GA was seen driving erratically in the West Prince area.
Anyone with information on that incident or the current location of the vehicle is asked to contact police.