A Nanaimo man is behind bars after allegedly stealing a pickup and fleeing from police.
The incident started shortly after 2 a.m. Friday when the owner of a red 1991 Nissan pickup reported his truck stolen from in front of his residence on Johns Avenue.
A few moments later, Mounties on Bowen Road saw a truck being driven erratically without lights. When police tried to stop it the truck sped off east on Bowen Road, crossing back and forth over the centre line into the oncoming lane, until it turned into the Howard Johnson Hotel Park off Comox Road.
The driver jumped from the truck, but stopped when police commanded him to and was arrested.
Officers confirmed the truck was the stolen Nissan and found the driver also possessed break-in instruments, including screwdrivers, bolt cutters and flashlights, plus a small amount of crystal methamphetamine.
Joseph Leon Kidd, 27, appeared at Nanaimo provincial court Friday where he was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, possession of break-in tools and possession of a controlled substance.
Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said Kidd is suspected of being involved in numerous vehicle thefts and commercial break and enters.