Man Fleeing Olympics -- Commits Theft and Murder

A lower mainland man was so desperate to escape the Winter Olympics that he stole a car and fled to Vancouver Island. He later killed two on a motorcycle on the Malahat while travelling to Victoria...

A fatal motor vehicle collision on the Malahat early Saturday afternoon has left a motorcycle rider and his passenger dead and the suspect driver of the second vehicle involved at large.

This incident started early Saturday morning in North Vancouver when an unknown male entered a residence, stole some property and the homeowner's car, a newer model Honda Accord, while the homeowner's were home. The homeowner reported the incident to North Vancouver RCMP.

Later in the morning, the stolen Honda was seen going through the toll booth at Horseshoe Bay. The lone male suspect's picture was captured by BC Ferries video surveillance. Police believe that the stolen Honda and suspect driver arrived at Departure Bay at approximately 10:00 AM.

At approximately 12:25 hours police, fire and ambulance were dispatched to a fatal collision that occurred near the Arbutus Rest Stop on the Malahat. Police learned that the stolen Honda was travelling south and made an illegal left turn into the rest stop, cutting in front of a motorcycle which collided with the Honda, killing both the male rider and fermale passenger of the motorcycle.

The suspect fled the scene of the collision. Police utilized the resources of Police Service Dog from Nanaimo, Coast Guard, RCMP Air Services from Vancouver, and Members from Shawnigan Lake, Westshore and South Island Traffic Services to try to locate the suspect, but to no avail.

The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (ICARS), Criminal Crash Investigation Team (CCIT) and Forensic Identification Section (FIS) attended the scene to continue the investigation. The Malahat was closed for several hours.

The investigation is continuing and being handled by Members of South Island Traffic Services CCIT. The names of the people killed in this collision will not be released pending the notification of next of kin.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect driver. This is a far reaching investigation and the suspect may well be from the Greater Vancouver area.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Cst. Brian Sampson of South Island Traffic Services at 250 416 0352. Anyone with information regarding this collision who has yet to speak with police is also asked to call Cst. Sampson at the number above.

Released by

Cst. Mike Halskov
Media Relations Officer / Team Leader - CCIT
South Island Traffic Services, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0
9921 Chemainus Rd.
Office: (250) 416-0352
Fax: (250) 416-0354
Email: michael.halskov@rcmp-grc.gc.ca