Intoxicated man steals Montreal police car, is chased through South Shore

A 28-year-old man has been arrested following a police chase that started in Montreal and ended in Varennes in the Montérégie region on Thursday night.

Montreal police (SPVM) explains that at 8:45 p.m., it received a 911 call about a “robbery suspect” at a hotel on Papineau Avenue and Sainte-Catherine Street in the Ville-Marie borough.

“The suspect managed to escape from the hotel and took the opportunity to steal an SPVM patrol car that was parked on the scene,” said Manuel Couture, a spokesperson with Montreal police.

The man apparently turned on the flashing lights and drove across the Jacques-Cartier Bridge before taking Route 132 in Longueuil, where he was pursued by police.

The chase ended about 30 minutes later, at 9:20 p.m.

“The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the shed of a residence on Route Marie-Victorin,” Couture added. “The suspect reportedly sustained no injuries but was taken to hospital as a precaution.”

A security perimeter was established to allow investigators to analyze the scene.

“Assistance from officers in the drug evaluation unit was requested,” said Couture.

The man is expected to appear in court later in the day if his condition permits.