Vernon

A North Okanagan man found out the hard way it doesn't pay to flee from a police dog.

The man, who faces several charges related to a late night driving spree, needed treatment after coming in contact with the dog.

RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk says the swath of destruction began about 10 p.m. Saturday night when police were informed that  a dark coloured Ford Explorer hit a pole at Highway 97 and 43 Ave. and fled the scene.

Molendyk says a second witness to the collision contacted police and said they were following the vehicle tracks in the snow.

"The caller told police the vehicle tracks were going up onto the curb, onto the sidewalk and crossing the center line," says Molendyk.

"This witness caught up to the truck on 27 Avenue and followed the vehicle to a property in the 5700 block of Okanagan Landing Road where it collided with a fence. By this time the vehicle was being driven on the rim as the tire had come off."

Molendyk says police arrived, spotted the vehicle and noticed a man fleeing into the residence.

He says the suspect was eventually apprehended with the help of the police dog.

The man has been released from jail.

He faces charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, prohibited driving, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.