Photo: Kerri Zboyovsky-Murphy/Vernon and Area Community Facebook page

UPDATE: 3:12 p.m.

You don’t expect to have to watch for a shirtless man running through your back swing at a golf course, but today patrons of Predator Ridge Golf Resort were forced to call ‘fore’ as a male suspect interrupted their golf game in an attempt to evade police. 

Just after 10 a.m., the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP received a report of a theft of vehicle in progress in the 9500 block of Eastside Road in Vernon. While en route, officers were advised a male had stolen a dump truck full of gravel and was driving at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the truck which flipped onto its side, losing its load of gravel, causing a portion of the road to be blocked. 

Witnesses said the male fled the area up a steep embankment toward the Predator Ridge Golf Course, says RCMP Const. Kelly Brett.

Due to the thick terrain, the RCMP Air Services Unit and the Police Service Dog were deployed. The RCMP fixed-wing plane responded and located the male running through the 10th hole of the golf course, where he eventually grounded himself in an effort to hide from police.

Officers used golf carts to access the area and located the suspect.

RCMP credit the staff of Predator Ridge Golf Resort for their quick thinking and clear directions, which allowed police to safely take the male into custody. 

A 42 year old male, from Hudson's Hope, B.C., remains in custody and faces possible charges of theft of motor vehicle. 

ORIGINAL: 12:49 p.m.

Traffic was slowed on Eastside Road this morning after a large truck loaded with gravel rolled, spilling part of its load.

Witnesses tell Castanet the incident happened in the 9500 block of Eastside Road.

There is no word on the cause of the accident or if anyone was injured.

Castanet will have more information should it become available.