A 31-year-old man, who was arrested following a dramatic police operation on the Outer Ring Road yesterday afternoon, is facing a long list of serious charges ranging from flight from police to kidnapping and forcible confinement.
RNC say John Anderson, who was unlawfully at large, was wanted on domestic violence charges.
He was spotted by police about 10:30 yesterday morning in the area of St. Clare Avenue in St. John’s, but before police had time to respond, he tore off in the stolen vehicle he was allegedly driving.
His efforts to elude police had him spotted in several areas, including Carbonear – a more that one hour drive from the capital city.
Anderson’s road trip came to an end on the Outer Ring Road after he tried to avoid a spike belt near the Kenmount Overpass and an RNC officer took action and pushed the errant vehicle into the median with his rig.
Anderson is facing the following charges;
- Kidnapping
- Forcible confinement
- Assault
- Assault by choking
- Assault causing bodily harm
- Mischief by property damage
- Uttering threats
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Two counts of flight from police
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Two counts break and enter
- Four counts of theft of a motor vehicle
- Unlawfully at large
The accused escaped injury, but an RNC officer was sent to hospital as a precaution and has since been released.
Earlier story
A full list of charges is expected to be released today against a man who gained the attention of both the RNC and RCMP yesterday.
RNC say 31-year-old John Jay Anderson, who was already wanted by police and unlawfully at large, was spotted driving a stolen SUV in the area of St. Clare Avenue around 10:40 yesterday morning.
The accused sped from the scene, catching the attention of officers. An SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle was then seen driving erratically on Columbus Drive.
A short time later Anderson was reportedly spotted in Carbonear, prompting a joint operation.
A recent photo of John Jay Anderson (via RCMP)
Multiple police resources were involved, and a spike belt was deployed on the Outer Ring Road near the Kenmount Road overpass. The suspect vehicle attempted to avoid the belt, crossed the median and was brought to a stop by a police vehicle and Anderson was taken into custody.
The operation caused a significant traffic backlog on the Outer Ring westbound during the evening commute.
Traffic backed up westbound on the ORR (VOCM News)
RNC Constable James Cadigan thanked the community for their cooperation, and patience “not just in response to this event,” says Cadigan, but “following the conclusion when we were out on the highway, we had to close the road to carry out the investigation.” Cadigan says they understand that the incident cause a great traffic disruption, but commuters showed great patience. “To have that cooperation was fantastic and we even had some people calling out the window saying ‘thank you.'”
A full list of charges is expected to be released later today.
