A 49-year-old man of no fixed address is in custody after a dramatic chase in and around Christie Point in View Royal late Wednesday afternoon.

Police and firefighters look for a suspect on the water near View Royal on Oct. 10, 2018.

The chase started at around 3 p.m. when police saw a man in the Shoreline Drive area wanted on several criminal charges, including being unlawfully at large, out of Kelowna and Vernon.

WATCH: Bystanders watch as police officers and firefighters chase a suspect on the water. Video Credit: Kelsey Mitchell. 

The suspect fled and waded into the Gorge Waterway. According to police, he stole a kayak across the waterway and paddled away from officers. He then left the kayak, which had flipped, and took off on foot on the east side of Christie Point near Admirals Road.

When he was in the water, police did try to negotiate with the suspect and have him return to the shore near Craigowan Road but the man kept walking away from police in the water. Police said he made comments about hurting himself.

A suspect is seen wading in the water during a police chase in View Royal on Oct. 10, 2018. Submitted.

A suspect is seen wading in the water during a police chase in View Royal on Oct. 10, 2018. Submitted.

A police dog searches for suspect during a police chase in View Royal on Oct. 10, 2018. Submitted.

A police dog helped track the suspect approximately 40 minutes after the chase started near Craigowan Road. Police said he was hiding in the bushes and officers took him into custody without incident.

The Saanich Fire Department and View Royal Fire Rescue had boats out on the water during the chase. Thirty officers from VicPD, West Shore RCMP and Saanich police all assisted in searching for the suspect.

The man will appear in court Thursday morning.

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