40-year-old man allegedly steals vehicle but can’t elude police on foot following aerial, ground pursuit (VIDEO)

ABBOTSFORD — A 40-year-old man faces two charges after he allegedly stole a vehicle a week ago and led police in Abbotsford on a pursuit before being nabbed on foot by authorities when the vehicle crashed.

The Abbotsford Police Dept. says they received a report of a stolen vehicle in the Abbotsford area on Tuesday, Dec. 9 just after noon. Police units quickly found the vehicle but disengaged and transferred control of the pursuit to Air 1, its aerial unit.

From the skies overlooking the Fraser Valley, Air 1 followed the vehicle as the driver continued to operate dangerously. In the meantime, Gang Crime Unit and Patrol Division members coordinated pursuit efforts on the ground. Police say a spike belt was subsequently deployed, disabling one of the tires.

Shortly thereafter, a member of the Integrated Police Dog Service team initiated a successful PIT (precision immobilization technique) maneuver by making contact with the rear quarter of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch. Police say the driver, later identified as Dale Christopher McPherson, attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by Police Service Dog Parx.