Man arrested after stolen water taxi joyride near Victoria

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – Victoria police had to chase a water taxi through the harbour Tuesday morning, after a man stole the boat and went on a joyride.

Police say they were called out around 3 a.m. when the man was heading up the Gorge waterway on the Harbour Ferry water taxi.

He changed course toward the Inner Harbour once officers arrived in what seemed to be an attempt to flee, police say.

Const. Cam MacIntyre says it took some time, but they were eventually able to catch up to the man and convince him to turn the boat off.

“Luckily, this avoided what could have been a more serious situation when you look at if that vessel had made it out of the harbour and into open waters. It can be very dangerous.”

While the Victoria Police Department doesn’t have its own boat, MacIntyre says police were able to hop on another, faster boat owned by Harbour Ferry to reach the man. The Coast Guard was also called in and police were on one of their boats, as well.

The man was towed back to the dock, arrested, and is facing recommended charges of theft over $5,000.

The whole ordeal took about 45 minutes, and MacIntyre says he can’t remember a time when a similar situation happened.

He adds there wasn’t any damage to the ferry, but police aren’t sure yet how the man was able to start the boat.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today