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Burnaby neighbours awakened by cops searching for driver who ran from police

Driver blew through a red light going 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, according to Burnaby RCMP
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About 12 police cars were called to the area near Ernie Winch Park in Burnaby early Monday morning for a suspect who ran off during a traffic stop.

Burnaby Mounties didn’t get their man after he blew through a red light going double the speed limit early Monday morning – but it may only be a matter of time.

Neighbours in the area around Ernie Winch Park were awakened just before 1 a.m. by a large police response.

About a dozen police vehicles were called to the area at 12:45 p.m. after an officer tried to pull over a Mazda Protege that had driven through a red light going 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, according to Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj.

He said the officer followed the vehicle on 13th Street across 10th Avenue into New Westminster, where the vehicle stopped and the driver jumped out and ran off.

A foot pursuit ensued, Kalanj said.

About 12 police vehicles eventually responded to the area, including a K9 unit, but officers were unable to find the suspect, who is described as a white man about six feet tall, according to police.

“They had the police dog out, the bullhorn going at one point and kept squawking sirens back and forth for well over an hour and a half, could have been longer,” a neighbour told the NOW.

Police impounded the Mazda, according to Kalanj.

He said the vehicle had not been reported stolen and the registered owner, a Burnaby resident, will now be answering some questions from police as investigators look into the incident.

"Once we find the person and have a discussion, we'll figure it out for sure," Kalanj said.

Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com