Prohibited driver, 29-year old Lewis Sooley of Carbonear, who fled from police on July 21, 2021, was located by RCMP Police Service Dog Grinch and was taken into custody.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., an officer from Harbour Grace RCMP was on patrol in Carbonear and observed a motorcycle that matched the description of one that fled from police several times recently. A traffic stop was attempted and the driver fled from police through the community at a high rate of speed and, at one point in time, was travelling on only the rear wheel. In the interest of public safety, officers did not engage in a pursuit. A short time later, the motorcycle, which had crashed, was located at the intersection of London Road and Route 70. A quantity of cash and drug paraphernalia were found on the roadway at the crash scene and the driver was attempting to push the motorcycle down Route 70. Upon the arrival of police, the driver abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot into a wooded area. Officers from Harbour Grace and Bay Roberts detachments set up containment of the area and contacted RCMP Police Dog Services. Police Service Dog Grinch and his handler attended the scene, tracked into the woods and located the man, Lewis Sooley, who was taken into custody without further incident.
Sooley is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Four counts of prohibited operation of a motor vehicle
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Flight from police
- Breach of probation
He attended court today, was released on conditions and is set to attend court again at a later date.
RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.