Crash leads to vehicle thief

Photo: RCMP

Fitz

A 35-year-old Kelowna man is in custody after a vehicle, stolen nearly a month ago, was involved in an early morning crash.

Shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, police were called to the 500 block of Glenmeadows Road after a Chevy Cobalt slammed into a parked pickup truck.

The driver of the Cobalt was seen running from the scene.

“The sounds from the crash woke the owner of the Titan who rushed outside his home to investigate,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

“Front line officers arrived on scene to find vehicle parts strewn all over the roadway, and the heavily damaged Chevrolet Cobalt idling nearby. Investigators determined that the abandoned sedan had been reported, in late April, to Williams Lake RCMP as stolen.”

O'Donaghey says a police dog began a search for the suspect while officers set up a containment area.

A man matching the description of the suspect was detained by an officer on the perimeter of the search area.

“Police Service Dog Fitz performed a confirmation track, where his search for a suspect from the crash scene led to where officer had taken their suspect into police custody.

“Our police dogs are invaluable to us here in Kelowna, from tracking suspects, to searching for missing people, or sniffing out illicit drugs or even explosive materials, they support our front line operations daily.”

The suspect faces numerous charges.

If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.