An RCMP collar tab pin is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Six arrested after chaotic B.C. chase involving dogs, helicopter, emergency team

Jun 3, 2026 | 10:38 AM

NANAIMO — Police on Vancouver Island say three men and three women have been arrested after multiple police vehicles were damaged in the pursuit of a stolen truck that went on for more than 100 kilometres and involved a helicopter, police dogs and emergency response officers .

Mounties say the chase began Tuesday at about 8 a.m. in a rural area near Comox Lake in the Comox Valley, after police received a report of a stolen vehicle.

Police say the suspects in the vehicle fled when officers engaged, leading to several police cars being damaged.

Comox RCMP issued an alert to other Vancouver Island detachments, with the police force’s air unit monitoring the suspect vehicle as it travelled toward Nanaimo, about 120 kilometres to the southeast.

An emergency response unit and dog squads eventually helped track down five people who were arrested just south of Nanaimo near the city’s airport, while a sixth person was arrested later.

Police say they later found two other stolen vehicles linked to the investigation, and that three suspects remained in custody ahead of a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, while the other three were released unconditionally.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.

The Canadian Press