Young driver who fled police has Tesla seized: Abbotsford PD

An Abbotsford police vehicle is seen in this image from the department's Facebook page. (Credit: Facebook/AbbyPoliceDept)

Members of the Abbotsford Police Department seized a young driver’s vehicle and handed them a lengthy driving suspension after the youth allegedly fled from police at a high speed Friday.

In a news release, authorities said officers with the department’s gang crime unit were patrolling west Abbotsford around 5 p.m., when they saw a blue Tesla travelling at 80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.

Police attempted to stop the car at Bluejay Street and Blueridge Drive, but the driver kept going and “fled the scene at excessive speeds,” the APD said.

“Reckless driving and failing to stop for police are serious offences that will not be tolerated in our community,” the release reads.

“Our officers continue to take a zero-tolerance approach toward youth engaging in these dangerous behaviours.”

Officers ultimately caught the youth and laid charges of excessive speed, driving without due care and failing to stop for police.

The young person was also handed an 18-month driving suspension and their Tesla was seized as an offence-related property, police said.