Carjacker who used pepper spray, struck pedestrian arrested in Vancouver: police

VANCOUVER – Police say a pedestrian was seriously injured Friday morning in downtown Vancouver after a carjacking that ended with the arrest of a suspect and multiple collisions.

Const. Jason Doucette says police received a call at about 8:40 a.m. from a motorist who reported being pepper sprayed in a downtown parking lot by someone who took off with his car.

Doucette says the suspect drove erratically through the downtown, causing numerous collisions and also striking the pedestrian, who was rushed to hospital.

Police say the pedestrian’s injuries are serious but not life-threatening.

After the car came to a stop, Doucette says the carjacker jumped out of the vehicle and was chased by construction workers, who were also pepper sprayed.

Doucette says the group was able to hold the man until police arrived.

He says a 27-year-old man has been arrested and several charges will be recommended against him.

Police say the car was stolen at Cambie and Pender streets and ended up in the area of West Georgia and Hamilton, about three blocks away.