News release

Holyrood RCMP arrest one man after flight from police with help from PSD Fury

April 14, 2026 - Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

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Holyrood RCMP arrested a 32-year-old man on Friday afternoon after responding to a report of a stolen vehicle. With assistance from Police Dog Services (PDS) and the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), police safely located and detained Michael Howe after he fled from police.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on April 10, 2026, Holyrood RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle in the Deer Park area. The male suspect, known to the victim, was arrestable for breaching conditions of a release order with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) for prior offences and was believed to be in possession of the stolen vehicle.

Officers from the RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) located the stolen vehicle and suspect exiting the Trans-Canada Highway at Salmonier Line and followed the vehicle to Vineland Road in Deer Park. Holyrood RCMP attempted to stop vehicle with the deployment of a tire deflation device; however, the suspect struck a police vehicle before fleeing at a high speed. Police did not pursue the vehicle in the interest of public safety.

A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle, which had left the roadway and crashed in the area of Salmonier Line. A search of a nearby wooded area was initiated, and an advisory was issued asking the public to avoid the area. A police canine team and members of the RCMP Emergency Response Team were brought in to help locate and detain the suspect. 

Police Service Dog Fury and her handler located 32-year-old Michael Howe of St. John’s at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Howe was taken into custody with the assistance of ERT and GIS officers and transported to the detachment in Holyrood.

Howe appeared in court on April 11 on Criminal Code charges of:

• Failure to comply with a release order condition – five counts
• Assault on a police officer
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Flight from peace officer – two counts
• Resisting/Obstructing a peace officer
• Taking motor vehicle without consent of owner 
• Mischief over $5,000 – Damage to motor vehicle

He also faces charges under the Highway Traffic Act including:

• Operating a vehicle with a suspended license 
• Using handheld wireless communication device (while operating a vehicle) 
• Failure to stop at an accident scene 
• Failure to obey directions of a traffic officer
• Failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle 

Howe has been remanded into custody and will make his next appearance in provincial court on April 21, 2026.  

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