On Dec. 28, 2017, Oceanside RCMP spotted a vehicle on Claymore Road West that was determined to be a stolen out of Comox Valley.
The vehicle refused to stop and was eventually followed by police using tracks in the snow.
Mounties located the vehicle further up the road in the ditch with two people still inside.
The passenger complied with police commands, but the driver fled on foot into the bush.
A police dog and his handler tracked the man for over three hours through the snow and over fallen trees until he was found hiding on a river bank. The dog was released and grabbed onto the man when he once again attempted to run. The man then pulled the dog in the river and tried to drown it, according to police.
Officers used a taser on the man causing him to release the dog, and he was then taken into custody.
Justin John Chester, 29 years is facing a multitude of charges including Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Break-in Tools, Fail to stop for Police, and Fail to Comply with Probation Order.
He also had several outstanding warrants out of Port Alberni.
The other male, Christopher Wade Raithby, 32-years old, is facing charges of possession of property obtained by crime and possession of break-in tools.
