A 20-year-old man from New Harbour was arrested and will be charged for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police following an incident on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) on Wednesday.
At 12:45 p.m., officers from the RCMP's traffic services were on patrol on the TCH near Long Harbour when an officer observed a Volkswagon Jetta travelling west at a high speed, and obtained a radar reading of 176 km/h.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which increased its speed and refused to stop for police. The car continued west, passing other motorists in a dangerous manner, the RCMP stated in a news release.
In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the vehicle, but provided a description of the vehicle to officers in nearby detachments.
Officers from traffic services and the Placentia detachment set up containment in the area. A short time later, police located both the driver and his vehicle in a secluded area near Placentia Junction.
The driver was arrested and has since been released from custody.
His licence has been suspended, and his vehicle was seized and impounded. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Harbour Grace on Oct. 14.