QUESNEL

Thursday, August 8, 2024

The RCMP have one man in custody after a spike belt was used to stop a stolen vehicle that was driving dangerously through the streets of Quesnel last weekend…

Police say on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at approximately 10:00 PM, officers attempted a traffic stop on a white Audi SUV on Carson Avenue but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. An hour later, the police observed the Audi driving dangerously on Anderson Drive, narrowly causing a collision with another vehicle. After the Audi failed to stop for police a second time, it was reported stolen by the owner.

At approximately 11:50 p.m., the police located the Audi traveling south on Highway 97 and successfully disabled the vehicle with a spike belt deployment at Red Bluff Road. The driver ran from the vehicle and was apprehended a short distance away with the assistance of a police dog.

During the investigation, the police seized a replica handgun, over 1.3 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, other assorted illicit drugs, ammunition, and over $7,000 in cash.

It was fortunate that the driver of the Audi did not hurt anyone with his aggressive and dangerous driving. The driver had a blatant disregard for the safety of the public with reports of erratic driving, crossing the center line, failing to stop, and almost causing collisions with other vehicles. It is also alleged the driver purposefully drove toward a police officer as he was deploying a spike belt, said Staff Sergeant Richard Weseen, of the Quesnel RCMP.

Farbn Japow, 23, was charged with flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, drive while prohibited, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon, fail to comply with probation order, and fail to comply with release order. At the time of his arrest, Japow had outstanding warrants out of two different jurisdictions, was on probation and was prohibited from driving and possessing firearms.

Japow was remanded into custody and his next court appearance is on August 26, 2024 in Quesnel.

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