Stolen Kamloops truck hits police car

Photo: Contributed

White Ford-250 Pickup stolen similar to the one pictured above. 

Vernon RCMP were able to track down and find a stolen truck after Kamloops RCMP alerted them it was heading their way.

On Sunday January 12 at approximately 7 a.m. the Vernon Rural RCMP members were alerted to a stolen White Ford F 250 heading east. 

The truck had been stolen from Kamloops and was being tracked by police via GPS. 

Vernon/North Okanagan members chose to set up a position on Hwy. 97 coming in to Vernon to locate and hopefully stop the truck.

Molendyk says information from the GPS indicated the truck was traveling at speeds of up to 130 km/h. 

“Our officers set up at various points along Hwy. 97 in an effort to identify the truck without causing suspicion to the driver,” explained Molendyk.

The truck was identified by police and allowed to pass and enter Vernon City limits without drawing attention.

“One of our members, in an unmarked vehicle, was used to track the movements letting officers know where it was heading to set up to arrest the suspects,” says Molendyk.

Then the driver and passenger became aware of police and tried to get away.

“At one point the driver swerved into the police car causing minor damage,” says Molendyk. “These actions caused the truck to drive onto the shoulder of the road and into a tree, as a result both suspects were taken into police custody.”

The 34-year-old man from Hope who was driving was arrested with assistance from the Police Service Dog team. 

The 33-year-old woman passenger from Chilliwack was chased down by police on foot and arrested.

“Nobody was injured and there was only minor damage to the stolen vehicle and police car,” says Molendyk.

Multiple charges are being recommended against both suspects.

The man is currently on parole and has been remanded in custody to appear in court today while the woman has been released on a promise to appear.