Forget the long arm of the law, it's the long arm of the neighbours, with a little help from Mother Nature, that brings suspects to justice in one northeastern BC community.

Fort St. John RCMP say residents of the small community of Buick Creek ignored bone chilling temperatures to tail two suspects they knew were wanted by police.

Police say residents alerted them after the man and woman drove through the enclave, about 70 miles north of Fort St. John, early Sunday morning.

As officers were en route, community members tailed the 28-year-old man and 24-year-old woman as they drove a stolen pickup truck into a ditch and then, despite wearing light clothing, tried to flee on foot in wind chill that made temperatures feel close to -40 C.

The woman quickly gave up, but residents continued to chase the man as he tried to steal a second truck, crashed it, and then ran into a field where, after 90 minutes in freezing conditions, quickly surrendered to Mounties as they arrived.

Officers say the man and woman are wanted on outstanding warrants, and they are recommending charges of robbery and possession of stolen property against John Keyler.