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Kelowna  

Spike-belt oopsie

A dramatic takedown in Lake Country Wednesday afternoon turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.

Witnesses told Castanet police stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Highway 97 and Oceola Road about 4 p.m. The driver was forcibly removed from the vehicle, cuffed, and placed in the back of a police vehicle.

Turns out, the vehicle had been reported stolen, but was being driven by its registered owner.

Const. Jesse O'Donaghey said the vehicle was reported driving in an erratic manner along the highway heading north toward Lake Country.

Police initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle at the intersection, then placed a spike belt in front of the vehicle.

While the driver and a female passenger were in custody, the vehicle, which was left in gear, moved forward, deflating the front tires.

"It was quickly learned that the driver was in fact the registered owner who had recovered it and had only left a voice message with investigators at another detachment in the South Okanagan," said O'Donaghey.

"The individuals involved were fully understanding of the police actions taken."

O'Donaghey said police covered the cost of having the vehicle towed to a local automotive repair shop where both tires were replaced.

He said it's common for owners to recover their own vehicles, especially those reported as being taken without owner consent.

"In these instances, it is a matter that someone who is known to the owner has taken it without consent and the vehicle is considered stolen.

"What occurs is at times, is that the two parties then have contact and the vehicle is returned to the owner and he or she fails to notify police that they have recovered their vehicle."

O'Donaghey said owners should ensure they contact the police non-emergency line to properly report that recovery. Failing to do so, leads to the vehicle remaining on the data base system as stolen.

Eventually it’s seen by police and results in it being treated as a possible stolen vehicle and is stopped with a heightened risk assessment being made by the officers. 



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