The Upper Levels Highway was partially closed for several hours Wednesday morning after a stolen Nissan pickup truck plowed into a WVPD utility vehicle that was parked near the Caulfeild exit apparently trying to prevent the suspects' escape.
The early-morning crash comes just eight days after a distressed driver in a stolen car rammed a parked WVPD patrol unit that was attempting to do the same thing a few kilometres east of Wednesday's scene.
The two occupants of the truck involved in this week's collision were taken to hospital with minor injuries, according to police. Crack patterns in the wreck suggested at least one of them had hit his head on the inside of the pickup's windshield.
The incident began just before 4 a.m. when a West Vancouver patrol responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 5700-block of Marine Drive. The unit ordered the truck to pull over, but the driver reportedly hit the gas and tried to escape.
The suspects allegedly fled uphill to Hwy. 1, where they collided with the waiting SUV. The officer driving the damaged vehicle was unhurt.
The two men, 55 and 41, both described as homeless, were due to appear in North Vancouver provincial court following their release from hospital. Investigators said they will recommend charges of possession of stolen property and flight. The men are known to police.
