Stolen police cruiser

One person has been arrested at a Vancouver park after allegedly stealing a police vehicle and driving erratically near a playground.

In a video shared with Glacier Media, a Vancouver Police Department (VPD) cruiser can be seen driving in circles on Sunday, Oct. 6, around 11 a.m. 

Robert Farr was walking his dog around Templeton Park when he spotted the driver in the police vehicle driving at an excessive speed nearby.

"I saw a VPD SUV speeding through a block over,” he says. "It ramped over speed bumps and jumped a curb into the new running track and field by the kids' playground. 

In the video, a child can be heard yelling ‘go away’ as police arrive on the scene. 

“[It was] quite scary. Parents and kids [were] scrambling for cover,” says Farr.

Caregivers in the area gathered all the children quickly and were helped by staff at the nearby community centre. 

A K9 officer with the VPD can be seen driving to the park and intervening in the stolen vehicle. The police dog and officer arrested the man while other police officers arrived. 

"I’m so glad no one got hurt and hope the joyrider gets the help they need,” says Farr.

Glacier Media has reached out to Vancouver police and is awaiting a response.