STORY UPDATED
Winnipeg Police have a 36-year-old man in custody after he led them on a wild chase through downtown in a stolen firetruck on Friday afternoon, November 29, 2019.
The firetruck was stolen during a medical call on Henderson Highway just after 12:30 pm. When firefighters came out of the building after about 15 minutes the truck was gone.
The firetruck collided with a vehicle on Henderson at Donalda minutes after it was stolen. A hydro pole was knocked down during the collision causing a localized blackout. Police say the firetruck made no attempt to avoid hitting the pickup before it continued towards downtown.
An off-duty firefighter who witnessed the collision noticed the driver of the firetruck was not a member of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and called the police.
The driver then made his way towards Central Park driving onto the grass causing pedestrians to run out of his path before continuing on behind Portage Place.
In a video obtained by News 4, an officer can be seen deploying a stop stick in an attempt to stop the rogue driver. It had little effect and the chase continued through the downtown.
Police say the chase reached speeds of 70 kph as the driver drove the wrong way on various one-way streets, blew through red-light intersections while generally causing havoc.
The vehicle finally came to a stop under the Donald Street bridge on Assiniboine Avenue about a half-hour after the chase started.
Police arrested the suspect but had to use a taser to subdue him.
No one was hurt in the chase
Bai Farama Koroma was charged for his alleged involvement with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- Operation of a Conveyance While Impaired by BAC or Drug
- Possession of a Weapon
- Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer
- Fail to Stop at Scene of Accident x 2
- Drive Without Valid Licence (HTA)
Koroma was detained in custody.
© News4.ca 2020
