Suspect sneaks away

Photo: Randy Millis

The Kelowna RCMP have released details on what prompted a large police presence near the Parkinson Recreation Centre on Sunday.

At about 3 p.m. an officer attempted to stop a green Chevrolet pickup truck near Ethel Street and Lawrence Avenue over mechanical defects. However, the driver refused to stop and fled.

Just 15 minutes later, police were called to the 900 block of Fuller Avenue for a crash involving a similar vehicle, which caused damage to a property. The property owner tried to follow the suspect and sustained damage to his own car when the suspect crashed into his vehicle while driving away.

Shortly after, officers located the truck abandoned on the 1600 block of Harvey Avenue. Police set up a perimeter and called in a canine unit, but the driver escaped.

“The investigation remains ongoing at this time, which will include a full examination of the vehicle itself for physical evidence,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

“RCMP have confirmed that the licence plates attached to the vehicle had been reported stolen in late September. However, investigators continue efforts to determine whether the pickup truck itself was in fact stolen.”

O’Donaghey adds that, “the RCMP do not recommend that the members of the public follow a suspect or a suspect vehicle, due to the potential dangers posed to themselves and/or the rest of the general public.”