Man arrested after he allegedly steals truck, throws himself down embankment once it crashes

ABBOTSFORD – Police in Abbotsford say their officers were in the right place at the right time Thursday morning after a vehicle stolen out of Maple Ridge crashed and rolled over, and the driver who fled the scene was later apprehended by authorities.

AbbyPD spokesperson Sgt. Paul Walker says police were called to South Fraser Way near McDougall Avenue just after 10 a.m. Thursday (June 25) when they saw a truck flip on its side. Officers rushed to assess the well-being of the occupant and conduct necessary traffic control measures. However, the 35-year-old driver jumped out of the truck and chucked himself down an embankment in a failed effort to run away from police.

AbbyPD officers were advised that the truck had been reported stolen out of Maple Ridge. Extra officers promptly arrived, set up a containment, and apprehended the man with the help of a police service dog and its handler.

Police say the 35-year-old man is known to police. They wound up locating him inside a truck parked in the area.