Stolen truck, flees police

Photo: File photo

A man driving a stolen truck fled police in Kelowna Friday morning.

A 21-year-old man led police on a chase around Kelowna early Friday morning in a stolen pickup truck, finally coming to an end when police laid down a spike belt.

An officer noticed a suspicious looking grey Toyota Tacoma driving with no lights on near Springfield and Spall roads at about 4 a.m.

The officer followed the truck into a parking lot and attempted to pull the vehicle over when the driver reversed into the police cruiser and fled the scene.

Later that morning, police found the same truck driving “in a dangerous manner” in downtown Kelowna.

Police pursued the vehicle eastbound on Clement Avenue, deploying a spike belt near Clement and Spall Road.

“The deployment of the tire-deflating device successfully punctured all four tires however the suspect continued driving on rims,” said Cpl. O'Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP.

The driver of the truck eventually ditched the truck on Enterprise Way, continuing on foot.

“Several officers converged on the area and engaged in a foot pursuit and the suspect was taken into police custody near Cooper Road and Enterprise Way,” said Cpl. O'Donaghey.

Police later determined the Toyota Tacoma had been reported stolen from the Mission's Bird Place on Dec. 1.

Inside the stolen truck, police found a loaded shotgun and break-in tools.

“The 21-year-old Kelowna man of no fixed address faces several potential charges and remains in police custody at this time,” said Cpl. O'Donaghey.