The Bridgewater Police Service successfully apprehended a suspect wanted in connection with an ATV theft after briefly leading officers on a foot chase along King Street.

BPS Deputy Chief Danny MacPhee says officers spotted the suspect who was known to them around 2:00 p.m., on Thursday.

Officers attempted to arrest the suspect but he then fled on foot, taking off eastbound along King Street. “The suspect took off and tried to escape under the old King Street Bridge but our officers were able to arrest him safely.

MacPhee says the suspect was known to be a flight risk, having previously escaped an arrest attempt by the RCMP made in New Germany.

Witnesses at the scene claimed that the suspect was carrying a gun but MacPhee says he was just carrying a black cell phone in an unusual way.

The area of King Street where the incident took place is one of the busiest areas in Bridgewater, and BPS asked the public to avoid the area while the scene was still active.

The suspect remains in BPS custody and more information on the charges he faces are expected to be announced on Friday.