Mounties in Oceanside say they’ve arrested a man in connection with a rollover crash involving an allegedly stolen vehicle that took place earlier this year near Qualicum Beach.
At approximately 5 p.m. on March 14 along Highway 19, near Horne Lake Road, Oceanside RCMP say witnesses reported that the stolen pickup truck — travelling northbound — crossed over the centre median on the highway and ended up on its roof in the southbound lane.
Following the crash, witnesses told Oceanside RCMP officers, a man and woman left the vehicle and fled on a green dirt bike that had been in the rear compartment of the truck.
Police say, officers eventually seized a loaded firearm from the truck, which was stolen out of Comox on March 11.
In a recent press release, Oceanside RCMP say they received video footage and were able to identify the male seen fleeing the truck as a “prolific” offender named Sheldon James Johanson, 32, of no fixed address, who they arrested on May 18 at a residence in Parksville.
“It was very fortunate that witnesses recognized the seriousness of the event, took video and stuck around to share the information with the police,” reads the May 20 RCMP release.
Johanson is facing charges of possession of stolen property and firearms offences and is slated to appear in court on May 25.
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