News release

Prolific offender arrested after vehicle theft, flight from police

November 26, 2025 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

Content

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) continue to investigate after prolific offender Jesse Lewis was arrested on Monday evening. Lewis, who was the subject of an active police warrant, was taken into custody after he was located in a stolen vehicle in Conception Harbour.

On November 24, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police received a report that a sport utility vehicle had been stolen from a parking lot in Avondale. Officers identified Lewis from the surveillance footage, and engaged a Critical Incident Commander as police worked to locate and contain both the vehicle and Lewis.

RCMP officers from Avalon East District, Whitbourne and Trinity Conception District responded with assistance from the Emergency Response Team (ERT), Traffic Services, East District General Investigation Services (GIS) and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Police Dog Services.

The vehicle, driver and passenger were located in Conception Harbour. The driver, 28-year-old Jesse Lewis attempted to flee unsuccessfully, and was arrested without further incident. A female passenger was also arrested, and both individuals were transported to the Harbour Grace RCMP detachment.

Lewis is being held in custody pending an appearance in Provincial Court. He is charged with:

• Assault with a weapon – 2 counts
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Flight from peace officer
• Resisting and obstructing a peace officer
• Operation of a conveyance while prohibited
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Failure to comply with a condition of a release order – 6 counts
• Mischief over $5,000 – damage to motor vehicle
• Theft of a motor vehicle

He appeared in court yesterday (November 25) in relation to charges from an unrelated incident on November 9, including:

• Failure to comply with a condition of a release order – 5 counts
• Failure to comply with probation order – 2 counts
• Operation of a conveyance while prohibited
• Assault with a weapon
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Robbery

The female passenger of the stolen vehicle, Samantha Connors, 27, was also arrested and charged with:

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Failure to comply with a release order condition
• Flight from a peace officer
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Theft of a motor vehicle

Over the weekend, RCMP and RNC responded to reports of flights from police and a motor vehicle collision involving a separate vehicle reported stolen on November 18 in Bay Roberts. 

On Sunday, November 23, RNC Operational Patrol Services responded to service station on Kenmount road where Lewis had stopped for gas. He fled as officers arrived on scene, colliding with a taxi and two RNC patrol vehicles.

A very short pursuit was shut down for public safety, as the driver is known to police and has a dangerous history of driving offences. The vehicle was later recovered by police. Lewis faces a number of charges in relation to that incident, including:

• Flight
• Dangerous operation
• Driving while prohibited – Two counts
• Failure to remain at the scene of a collision
• Possession of stolen property
• Breach of release order
• Breach of probation

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary are working collaboratively continue investigations into these incidents, and additional charges are possible.

Media contacts:
Corporal Jesse O’Donaghey
Media Relations Officer
RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador
rcmp.nl.media-medias.tnl.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca 
 

Cst. Stephanie Myers
Public Communications Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca 

Contacts