Spike in vehicle theft

Photo: Contributed

Over the last couple of weeks, the Osoyoos RCMP has responded to a spike in thefts from vehicles.

Many of these thefts occurred from vehicles that were left unlocked.

The RCMP would like to remind people to keep their unoccupied vehicles locked and remove valuable possessions or at the very least place them out of sight.

Many of these thefts could have been prevented by simply locking the vehicle.

The RCMP also responded to a hit and run collision on May 29. A 1996 Jeep Cherokee driven by a  29-year-old man from Osoyoos struck a cyclist on Main Street at 87th Street.

The 18-year-old cyclist, of Osoyoos, was crossing 87th Street when he was struck.

He suffered serious, but not life threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to hospital in Kelowna.

The suspect driver failed to remain at the scene to render assistance and fled the area, despite the wishes and pleading of his passengers.

He was found and arrested the next day for failing to stop at the scene of collision and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Alcohol is believed to have played a big role in this collision and the police will be recommending a further charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm.

The accused was released from custody and is to make his first appearance in Penticton court on July 9, 2014.

On May 28 and 29, the RCMP conducted Utility Terrain Vehicle training for their members. The Osoyoos RCMP purchased the new UTV in order to better access their border patrol area, as well as for beach patrols in the summer.