Suspect in stolen boat arrested after allegedly firing flares at police, attempting to ram police vessel

A 25-year-old man has been arrested after a dangerous incident involving a stolen fishing boat that allegedly attempted to ram and evade a police vessel off the coast of Prince Rupert.

On the evening of Monday, June 16, 2025 reports were received that the fishing boat, which had been reported stolen out of Port Hardy a day earlier, had been spotted south of Prince Rupert.

RCMP Patrol Vessel Inkster and a West Coast Marine Services vessel responded and attempted to intercept the stolen boat, but it did not stop.

The situation quickly escalated, becoming increasingly dangerous as the boat operator then allegedly tried to evade police while on the water in the dark, including firing flares at police and attempting to ram a responding police vessel. The operator of the stolen boat was also using the boat’s VHF radio to allegedly threaten police.

After pursuing the stolen vessel for more than an hour, the suspect eventually ran the fishing boat aground, and police were able to safely take the man into custody.

This was a dynamic situation that endangered everyone on the water, including the suspect, responding officers, and all other marine traffic. We are glad this situation was safely resolved with the suspect being taken into custody, and nobody getting injured. There was a high level of risk involved given the area and the unpredictable actions of the boat operator, said Cpl. Jeff Haney, acting Sergeant with West Coast Marine Services.

The investigation is ongoing and charges will be recommended. The grounded fishing boat has since been recovered and towed from the area.

West Coast Marine Services would like to thank and acknowledge partners involved with this file, which has included assistance from Prince Rupert RCMP, Port Hardy RCMP, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Metlakatla First Nation.