B.C. carjacking suspect sped across U.S. border before arrest, police say

Authorities have arrested a suspect who allegedly carjacked a pickup truck in B.C.’s Lower Mainland then sped across the U.S. border, triggering a massive police response.

The driver approached the Peace Arch crossing at a “high rate of speed” around 1:15 p.m. Thursday, ignoring calls from guards to stop, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.

“The vehicle continued through the port of entry and hit another vehicle,” wrote Jason Givens, CBP spokesperson.

The suspect allegedly drove into a secondary inspection lot, made a U-turn, and crossed a grass median before fleeing down Interstate 5, Givens said.

The incident sparked a lengthy chase involving border guards and troopers from the Washington State Patrol, who pursued the suspect past both the communities of Blaine and Bellingham.

Trooper Kelsey Harding said officers were eventually able to stop the pickup using a PIT maneuver – when police ram into the back of suspect vehicle, causing the driver to lose control – near the Bow Hill rest area.

That’s just outside Burlington, approximately 70 kilometres south of the Peace Arch crossing.

“The driver was taken into custody,” Harding wrote on social media, hours after the incident. “Troopers recovered a machete, and the vehicle was identified (as) stolen from British Columbia.”

Online court records show U.S. authorities have since charged Shawn Bergstrom with several counts, including assault, reckless driving, attempting to elude police, hit-and-run, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Washington police said a machete was recovered after officers stopped a B.C. carjacking suspect along Interstate 5 on Dec. 12, 2024. (Washington State Patrol)

Few details about the initial carjacking have been confirmed by Canadian police. Richmond RCMP said officers responded to a report of a robbery around 12:40 p.m., but did not provide any information on the location.

In a statement Thursday evening, the detachment confirmed a suspect had been apprehended, and that the victim “did not sustain any physical injuries.”

In addition to the collision at the border, Harding said the stolen pickup “nearly struck” a guard while barging into the U.S.

Customs and Border Protection officers were the first to give chase down the I-5, and deployed at least one helicopter, but the driver refused to stop, Harding said.

“Troopers observed reckless driving behavior and took over the pursuit for the crime of felony eluding,” she wrote.

Richmond RCMP said it has conduct of the investigation into the carjacking, which remains ongoing. The detachment said it will not be releasing any further details Thursday.