Photo by the Fort St. John RCMP
A local RCMP officer observed a prolific offender on September 11, 2023, driving a black Mercedes E63 where a traffic stop was attempted near the area of 100th Street and 100th Ave in Fort St. John.
Fort St. John RCMP say the driver then pulled into oncoming traffic and ran a red light, which nearly led to another collision as a police vehicle was crossing the intersection. The vehicle, which RCMP state at the time has fled from the police at least twice previously, fled at a high rate of speed from local police while running another red light in the process.
The local RCMP located the vehicle again on October 20, 2023, after it again fled from police, where the same frontline police officer was able to seize the car. The RCMP requested civil forfeiture after it had been used to flee from local law enforcement on so many occasions in a dangerous manor.
“People have the lawful right to own and drive vehicles on the roadway but when they use them in unlawful and dangerous ways, taking the vehicle away can be a lawful option”, said Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St John RCMP. “In this case, this was diligent work by the frontline police officer to make the roads of Fort St John safer for everyone.”
The Civil Forfeiture Office confirmed on April 23 that the Mercedes E63 would not be returned to the owner and has been forfeited to be sold at auction.
Jesse Fougere is currently facing criminal charges of Flight from Peace Officer and Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle. The next court date is October 3, 2024, as these charges are still before the courts.
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