Move over, white Bronco. This week’s most gripping slow-speed chase involved a stolen fishing boat, a trail of flare guns, and a determined but leisurely voyage up B.C.’s coast at a top speed of 13 km/h. The vessel was taken from Port Hardy and pursued for nearly 500 kilometres before running aground near Prince Rupert, where RCMP made the arrest in what may be the most patient takedown in marine policing history.
The boat, named Evalisa, was reported stolen from the Port Hardy marina around 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 16. Its owner, Leo Lavigne, said he was notified by a friend who spotted the boat leaving Hardy Bay.
“I rushed down there, and it was gone,” Lavigne told reporters. “He didn’t even unhook the power. He just cut the cord.”
Evalisa, which has a top speed of about 13 km/h, travelled nearly 500 kilometres north along the coast over the next day and a half. It was eventually spotted late Monday evening near Prince Rupert, prompting the RCMP’s West Coast Marine Services to respond.
Police launched two patrol vessels and located the stolen boat off the shore of Metlakatla. The suspect, a 25-year-old man, refused to stop. According to RCMP, he fired multiple flares at officers, made threats over the boat’s VHF radio, and attempted to ram one of the pursuing vessels.
“The situation escalated quickly and became increasingly dangerous,” said Cpl. Jeff Haney of the RCMP West Coast Marine Services. “This was happening in complete darkness and on the open water.”
The chase ended after about an hour when the stolen vessel ran aground near the Metlakatla shoreline. The suspect was arrested at the scene without further incident. No injuries were reported, and the boat was not seriously damaged.
Members of the Metlakatla Guardian patrol later helped refloat Evalisa and towed it safely back to Prince Rupert. The RCMP thanked the Guardians, along with Port Hardy RCMP, Prince Rupert RCMP and the Canadian Coast Guard, for their assistance.
The suspect’s name has not been released. Police say charges are pending and will be forwarded to Crown counsel.
Lavigne said he was relieved to have his boat back and grateful for the coordinated effort that led to its recovery.
The unusual incident sparked widespread attention in coastal communities, with many commenting on the bizarre and dangerous nature of the chase. Despite the seriousness of the situation, some locals couldn’t help but joke about the slow-moving pursuit and dramatic flare shots.
“It’s like something out of a movie,” one commenter said on social media. “But with less speed and more flares.”
The RCMP emphasized that while the incident may seem unusual, it posed real risks to everyone involved.
“Everyone on the water was in danger,” said Haney. “We’re thankful this was resolved safely.”
