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Suspected masked bandit arrested

Mission resident accused of stealing dirt bikes and causing disturbances
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Clayton Pierce has been arrested in connection with numerous crimes

One person has been arrested in connection with numerous crimes, including a rash of dirt bike thefts, and disturbances in the community over the past several months.

"Over the last several months, police received numerous reports of a disturbance caused by a male riding a dirt bike through city streets during the late night and early morning hours," said RCMP Sgt. Shaun Wright, adding the suspect routinely had his face covered with a mask, helmet, or bandana. "The suspect attempted to goad police into chasing him, and then fled through areas on the dirt bike where police could not follow, or in a manner which was dangerous."

The suspect managed to evade police until Saturday night when police again spotted a man riding a dirt bike with no lights near Cherry Avenue and Stave Lake Street.

The suspect fled, and police called in a dog team and helicopter to help with the search. Several members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit who were in the area also helped out as the suspect attempted to goad police into chasing him.

The police helicopter followed the suspect to Caswell Avenue, near Shaw Street, where he abandoned the dirt bike and fled on foot about two kilometres up the forestry service road.

The police dog team located the suspect about 150 metres from where the dirt bike had been abandoned.

"The suspect was taken into custody without further incident," said Wright.

Mission resident, Clayton Pierce, 21, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving and two counts of driving while prohibited.

He has also been charged with one count of break and enter, one count of aggravated assault and one count of wearing a mask while committing an offence in relation to an Aug. 6 incident.

On that day, around 1 a.m., three masked men forced their way into a Mission home and beat a 25-year-old man, causing significant head injuries.

"Public safety is our primary concern," said Wright. "These are very serious charges and police are requesting that Pierce be detained in custody until trial."



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