Law enforcement seek man who drove over police vehicle, tried to ram woman and her friends

Law enforcement seek man who drove over police vehicle, tried to ram woman and her friends
Central Saanich PD

Police in Greater Victoria are on the hunt for a 28-year-old man accused of multiple crimes in the region over the past few weeks.

Johnathan Pocetti is suspected of running over a police vehicle in Central Saanich late last month and attempting to run over a woman and her two friends on Dallas Road last weekend, according to the Victoria Police Department and the Central Saanich Police Department.

Pocetti was driving in Central Saanich on Aug. 31, when, at around 3:50 p.m., a Central Saanich PD officer attempted to stop him for a traffic violation at a gas station in the 6700-block of West Saanich Road. Police say Pocetti, who was behind the wheel of a Dodge pickup truck, then rammed into and drove onto the hood of the officer’s vehicle, pushed it away, and drove off.

The 28-year-old is now wanted on warrants for assaulting a police officer with a weapon, flight from police, dangerous operation of vehicle and mischief to property over $5,000.

RELATED: Police seek suspect who tried to ‘ram’ woman and her two friends with vehicle in Victoria

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Then on Sept. 5, a woman and her two friends were walking in the Dallas Road area at around 4 a.m., when a man — believed to be Pocetti — attempted to “ram” into them with his vehicle, then exited his vehicle and allegedly tried to assault one of the individuals with a weapon, narrowly missing them, according to police.

The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle, later spotted near Royal Roads University at 5 a.m., sparking a significant search that involved officers from the West Shore RCMP and Integrated Police Dog Service. However, despite the large search in Colwood, police say Pocetti managed to evade capture and remains on the loose.

Pocetti is thought to be driving a lifted 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup with customized rims and B.C. licence plate number KJ 7200. Police say there was no front plate at the time of the Central Saanich incident and that it is entirely possible the truck has undergone recent modifications. They say the truck may have been painted a matte white over a blue primer, which is visible near the wheel wells, and may have been outfitted with an aftermarket rear bumper which is displaying B.C. plate number LH 8986.

Anyone who spots Pocetti is urged not to approach him and to contact 911 immediately. Those with information regarding Pocetti’s location are asked to contact the Victoria Police Department’s non-emergency line at 250-995-7654 or Central Saanich Police Service non-emergency line at 250-652-4441. Alternatively, individuals can report information regarding Pocetti’s location to the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-222-8477.

Johnathan Pocetti, above, is suspected of running over a police vehicle in Central Saanich late last month and attempting to run over a woman and her two friends on Dallas Road last weekend, according to the Victoria Police Department and the Central Saanich Police Department. (Central Saanich PD)

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