Penticton police bust boozy driver, catch car thief

PENTICTON – A man wanted for several crimes and an impaired driver were removed from city streets last week.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Penticton resident Jesse Armstrong was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle dating back to Sept. 17. A video from local businesses showed him associated with the vehicle in question. He also used a credit card from the registered owner of the vehicle to purchase cigarettes. When arrested, Armstrong was found to have break and enter instruments in his backpack.

Armstrong appeared in court to answer to fraud, possession of property obtained by crime and use of a stolen credit card stemming from the Sept. 17 incident, as well as a charge of possession of break and enter instruments from Oct. 14. His next court appearance is Oct. 21.

On Oct. 15, a man contacted the RCMP to say his friend was intoxicated and in a red van parked in a lot near the intersection of Eckhardt Avenue and Railway Street. Police arrived on scene with emergency lights and sirens, only to have the vehicle depart at a slow speed.

Police caught up with the vehicle after the driver evaded multiple police roadblocks. He eventually crashed into a barricade on the Channel Parkway, was arrested and found to be very intoxicated. He was held for a psychiatric remand and impaired driving.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.