VicPD have released additional information following an incident that saw multiple vehicles damaged earlier this week.
In a media release, VicPD said they are looking for witnesses and victims following a shocking Christmas Eve impaired driving incident that left multiple parked vehicles damaged in the Fernwood and Rockland areas.
The incident unfolded just before noon on December 24th, when VicPD officers received a report of a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of Heywood Avenue and Oliphant Avenue.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered that seven parked vehicles had been struck in a hit-and-run involving a stolen white Honda Civic.
Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle being driven erratically, with the female driver swerving along the roads and colliding with parked vehicles.
The stolen vehicle was eventually located by officers after it crashed into another parked car near Pemberton Road and Fort Street.
The driver fled on foot but was apprehended nearby less than 30 minutes later.
The suspect, identified as Judyann Marie Desjarlais, appeared in court on December 25th. She faces seven charges, including:
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Dangerous operation of a conveyanceFailing to stop
- Impaired operation of a conveyance
- Driving while prohibited
- Possession of stolen property
- Breach of probation
Desjarlais remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on January 2nd.
Investigators believe additional vehicles or property may have been damaged during the incident and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The areas where erratic driving and damage were reported include:
- 1000-block of Pandora Avenue
- 200-1300 block of Cook Street
- 900-1000 block of Park Boulevard
- 900-block of Heywood Avenue
- 900-1000 block of Pendergast Street
- 400-1500 block of Fairfield Road
- 300-400 block of Stannard Avenue
- 1500-block of Richardson Street
- 500-600 block of St. Charles Street
- 700-1000 block of Pemberton Road
Police are appreciative witnesses who have already come forward and are asking others who may have seen the incident, suffered property damage, or have dashcam footage to contact them.
This was one of two vehicle-related incidents that occurred on Christmas Eve.
Several hours after the first, police received reports of another stolen vehicle. Officers located the reported stolen truck, which lost a wheel when police attempted to block it from fleeing.
Despite this, the driver took off, leading to sparks flying as the three-wheeled vehicle sped down Douglas Street.
Videos posted on social media show the truck travelling at a high rate of speed in oncoming traffic and running red lights. Police later located the vehicle, but the driver had fled the scene and remains at large.
If you have information, call the E-Comm report desk at (250) 995-7654, and reference file number 24-47569. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or online at Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers.
