Photo: Contributed

RCMP arrested a man and a woman after a stolen car was stopped in Kamloops.

UPDATE: 4 p.m.

Two suspects are alleged to have stolen a vehicle during a flight from officers in the North Okanagan, after being tracked for driving a stolen truck in the first place. The two were finally stopped by police in Kamloops Thursday.

"Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP attempted to stop a white pickup in Falkland believed to be associated to a recent series of break and enters in the rural area of the detachment," said Cpl. Jodi Shelkie, RCMP spokesperson. "The vehicle fled from police and the occupants abandoned it on Highway 97 after a tire was flattened.  They then stole a Toyota Corolla which had stopped on the side of the highway."

Shelkie said attempts by RCMP Air Services, Vernon-North Okanagan and Chase detachments to contain the stolen Corolla were unsuccessful as it fled westbound on Highway 1 from Chase to Kamloops.

"RCMP ground units abandoned attempts to stop the vehicle but visual observation was maintained by Air Services."

As the vehicle entered Kamloops, RCMP deployed a spike belt.

The vehicle continued into the city but exited back out onto Highway 1 where officers were able to stop it .

Two suspects, a man, 35, from Pritchard, and a woman, 25, from Vernon, were taken into custody. 

"A rifle and a handgun were found inside of the stolen Corolla. Follow-up investigation has determined that the white pickup truck was reported stolen in Vernon on September 2nd."

Shelkie said the two suspects have been transported to Vernon and face numerous charges, including theft of a vehicle, possession of stolen property, flight from police and possession of weapons.  Both suspects are known to police.

ORIGINAL STORY: 3:15 p.m.

Two suspects in a stolen vehicle were nabbed by police in Kamloops who deployed a spike belt Thursday, after the driver evaded officers through several communities all the way from Vernon.

North Okanagan police alerted Kamloops RCMP that they were monitoring a stolen vehicle heading their way.

“The suspects drove to Falkland, from there to Chase and then onto Highway 1 towards Kamloops,” said Cpl. Jodi Shelkie, RCMP spokesperson. “The RCMP airplane was deployed from Kelowna and followed the vehicle, giving its location to officers on the ground.”

Near Lafarge Road, Kamloops officers deployed a spike belt to deflate at least one tire on the stolen vehicle. However the suspects continued along the highway, taking the summit exit into Kamloops. They drove down Columbia Street and exited back out to Highway 1, heading eastbound.

“Kamloops RCMP did not pursue the vehicle and relied on the RCMP plane to give them the location of the vehicle. Officers were able to stop the vehicle at Vicars Road. A man and a woman were taken into custody without incident.”

Shelkie said a rifle and a handgun were found inside of the stolen vehicle.

The suspects have been transferred back to Vernon RCMP. Their indentities have not been released.