Caught on camera: driver blasts through police road check

CBC News was filming as the driver of a minivan suddenly sped through aCounterAttackroad check at the Grandview Highway on ramp to Highway 1 eastbound, early Saturday morning.

The minivan accelerated pastBurnaby RCMPCpl. Robert McDonald while hewas being interviewedabout roadside suspensions and drinking and driving statistics.

"Just as we were asking somebody, he pulled over slowly and as soon as the car in front of him cleared, he simply took off," McDonald said.

Officer's hand broken

As the driver sped through the remainderof the road check, a number of officers scrambled to get out of the way, includingConst. Chris Redhead,who was later taken to hospital with a hand injury.

"As it went by my partner, I heard himyell, 'Stop,' and I just started to get out of the way like that," Redheadsaid, raising his arms in a defensive posture. "Pushed out and hit the window with my hand and broke it."

The van didn't make it far. It was foundabandonedjust over a kilometre away, at the Highway 1 exit at Willingdon Avenue. It had collided with construction dividers on the side of the road.

Police began to surround the area,and called for a dog squad to help track the suspects down.

"They knew that we were coming.They simply droppedthe vehicle just down the ramp here, and took off running," MacDonaldsaid.

A dog tracked three men, who were apprehended and taken into custody.Police saythe men are all in their 30s, andwill be facing a number of charges.

Officers believe the van, which was foundwith a number of tools inside, is likely stolen. It also had a broken window, which police believe happened when the van struck Redhead's hand.

The minivanwas towed to the Burnaby RCMP garage for forensic testing.