Wanted man tries to hit cop

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

A wanted man is still on the loose after trying to drive his vehicle into a police officer at a busy West Kelowna parking lot. 

West Kelowna police officers responded to Walmart Superstore at about 3:45 p.m. on Saturday for a reported sighting of a Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers wanted person.

Several officers rushed to the store parking lot where, according to an eye witness, the 32-year-old West Kelowna man was departing in a teal green Ford F150 pickup truck.

A witness, who asked not to be identified, tells Castanet that she was inside the garden centre at the Walmart located on Westbank First Nation when she heard a horn honk and then a loud bang.
She then recalls seeing a teal/silver-coloured vehicle “jump over a curb” and drive away.

Police knew the wanted man and that he had a history of fleeing from the police so they tried to conduct a high-risk traffic stop.

“A combination of marked and unmarked police vehicles were used to box in the suspect’s pickup truck, which he then allegedly used to ram two police cars, in an apparent attempt to escape capture, ultimately pushing one into a civilian’s car causing minor damages,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

During the dynamic and unfolding events, the suspect allegedly drove at a high rate of speed towards one of the officers who had exited their vehicle on foot.

“Fearing that their partner could suffer serious injury or even death, a second officer discharged his firearm, the round is believed to have struck the driver side area of the Ford pickup truck,” said O’Donaghey.

No police officers or members of the general public were injured during the incident, and police do not believe that the suspect was injured during the altercation.

Multiple people watched the suspect driving erratically and dangerously along Highway 97 towards Kelowna. 

Police say the last confirmed sighting of the suspect vehicle was on Westside Road and officers temporarily closed the road to try and catch him. 

Dayton Lloyd McAlpine, 32, of West Kelowna is still wanted and is believed to be driving a 1998 teal green Ford F-150 pickup truck. 

Police caution to the public to not approach McAlpine and if his vehicle is spotted to call 911 immediately. 

McAlpine is a prolific offender and wanted for theft under $5,000 and is believed to be about five-foot-eight and 130 lbs. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. 

Anyone with information is being asked to call West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.

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ORIGINAL: 3 p.m.

A loud bang was heard by a shopper before police officers swarmed a Walmart parking lot on Saturday afternoon. 

Castanet spoke to RCMP and have been told more details will be provided later today about the incident that unfolded at a busy parking lot.

A witness, who asked not to be identified, tells Castanet that she was inside the garden centre at the Walmart located on Westbank First Nation when the commotion unfolded.

“I heard a horn honk, then a loud bang,” she said. 

A Walmart employee who was outside was visibly distraught and the woman describes her as crying, shaking and in full panic mode. 

She then recalls seeing a teal/silver-coloured vehicle “jump over a curb” and drive away. Moments later she watched as a police officer chased after the vehicle.

"There were two undercover officers and a regular officer," she said. "The black unmarked car stayed in place the purple unmarked vehicle circled the area."

Another tipster tells Castanet a suspect was cornered by police officers, but the male driver managed to evade police by jumping his truck over a curb in the Walmart parking lot as officers fired shots to try and stop him. 

Shortly after the chaos at Walmart, Westside Road near Fintry was blocked and many officers were seen with large guns in the area. 

Witnesses told Castanet that up to to 10 police cars were seen near Whiteman Creek Road at around 5 p.m.

A store manager at the Walmart location said they could not comment on the incident because it is a police investigation. 

This story will be updated once more details become available.