'Tokyo drifting' past kids

Photo: Contributed

A black Ford Mustang was ditched on Briarwood Road, as two suspects fled into the forest.

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

A mother was forced to throw her children out of the way of a speeding, out-of-control Ford Mustang driving on two flat tires, as it “Tokyo drifted” around a corner.

The police pursuit of a suspected drunk driver believed to be linked to “additional criminal activity” appears to be nearing a conclusion near the Valley of the Sun development, north of Fintry, as one of two suspects has been arrested.

A resident in the area was walking with her three children on Briarwood Road when the black Mustang came around a corner towards them.

“I was looking at it and was like, that car is not going to make that turn, it's going too fast,” the witness said. “They Tokyo drifted around that corner, I had to push my five year old off his bike into a ditch and swerve the stroller over into the ditch because they were coming at us.”

She says the car pulled over just past them, and a man and a woman jumped out, carrying a black duffel bag, and ran into the forest.

She called police, who arrived on scene about 10 minutes later.

“I did see them apprehend the female,” the witness said. “She ran into a person's house ... the police got her within five minutes of being there.”

She didn't see the duffel bag with the woman when she was arrested. She says the man has yet to be found.

Earlier in the afternoon, police described the man they were looking for as a 140-pound, five-foot-seven Caucasian man, with a slender build and short hair. He was last seen wearing grey sweatpants and a black T-shirt.

UPDATE: 4 p.m.

The plane that was previously circling north of Fintry is now flying low to Okanagan Lake near Fintry Provincial Park, appearing to scan the shoreline. 

"It's been running back and forth now, checking the shoreline," a witness said. "He was like, right on the deck. It was crazy."

Police continue to search for a suspected drunk driver who fled police earlier in the afternoon. Police believe the man may be "linked to additional criminal activity in the West Kelowna area."

UPDATE: 3:45 p.m.

A man camping at the Fintry Provincial Park says a small plane is circling above, north of their campsite.

"I don't know if it's a police plane or not, but he's been circling for the last 20 minutes here, just north of Fintry," the camper said. "It looks like a police or spotter plane."

A police plane was circling above the Mount Boucherie area earlier in the afternoon, as police searched for a possible impaired driver who fled from police just before 1 p.m.

UPDATE: 3:25 p.m.

RCMP surrounded the area of Merlot Drive in West Kelowna, Thursday, searching for a man who fled from police and was allegedly an impaired driver.

"Police are investigating the possibility that this suspect may be linked to additional criminal activity in the West Kelowna area," said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey.

A resident picking her child up from school said she saw "a black Mustang screech around the corner, being chased by two police vehicles."

RCMP received a report of an impaired driver about 1 p.m., and were supported by a Kelowna RCMP dog team and RCMP aircraft.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, five feet seven inches tall, about 140 pounds, with a slender build, short hair. He was last seen wearing grey sweat pants, a black T-shirt and a flat-brimmed hat.

Anyone spotting suspicious activity in the area is asked to call police at 250-768-2880.

UPDATE: 3 p.m.

Residents living near Ridge Boulevard say at least eight police cruisers pulled into the neighbourhood, and officers with their guns drawn and police dogs are searching for a suspect.

RCMP scoured residents' backyards, looking for someone, but no further information was provided.

An unmarked police vehicle was seen speeding towards Highway 97, leaving the area.

The aircraft that was circling the area is no longer there, and police are no longer blocking any roads.

ORIGINAL: 2:45 p.m.

Police are circling the Mount Boucherie area of West Kelowna, near Mission Hill winery.

A Castanet reader living near Ridge Boulevard said residents have been told by police to stay in their homes. 

A plane was also spotted circling the area.

Multiple roads have been blocked off, but it is not yet clear what police are searching for. 

Castanet has a reporter at the scene and will update as more information becomes available.