Man arrested after violent crime spree through Metro Vancouver

A man has beenarrested after a crime spree across Metro Vancouver that police sayinvolved stealing a car, pointing a gun at people, snatching purses andramming a cop car.

Vancouver police say the string of violent incidents began at 8 a.m. PT on Wednesday, when the36-year-old man allegedlystole a grey Acura in Richmond.

Shortly afterwards, police say, the driver ofthe stolen carallegedly pointed a gun during a road rage incident as he wasenroute to Vancouver.

By 11:30 a.m., the stolen Acurawas at Glen Drive and Terminal Avenue.

"The driver of the stolen car allegedly tried to steal a purse off the shoulder of a 19-year-old woman," said Const. Brian Montague."A struggle occurred and the suspect drove away without the purse."

Less than an hour later, Montague said, the driver made it to 18thAvenue and Laurel Street, where he allegedly pointed a gun at a 34-year-old woman and tookher purse.

At around12:45 p.m., officers spotted the stolen car in the parking lot ofKingsgate Mallwherethe driver rammed a police car and sped away.

With a police helicopter joining the chase, the VPD's Emergency Response Team managed to block the car and take the driver into custody, saidMontague.

A stolen purse and a weapon were found in the vehicle, he said.

No one was injured. Montague says charges are pending.