Kelowna police catch thieves filling barrels of gasoline from construction site

Kelowna police service dog Mysan is being rewarded for his efforts in nabbing two suspects who were caught stealing gas from a construction site.

The Kelowna RCMP responded to the report in Joe Rich, April 6, shortly before 4 a.m., near Highway 33 and Pyman Road.

The information received was that three men driving a U-Haul cube van were filling up large barrels with gas they had stored in the back of the vehicle, according to the RCMP's press release.

Police officers attempted to stop the van as it left the construction site and its occupants fled from the vehicle on foot. Kelowna RCMP police dog services assisted in the search for the suspects who fled into the woods.

“Mysan and his handler tracked the suspects and located two of them who were both found hiding in the woods,” said Cpl. Garfield Henderson of police dog services, in the press release. Both suspects were arrested and treated at the hospital for minor injuries.

"This was a job well-done this morning," he said.

The suspects, two men aged 35 and 39, are possibly facing charges of theft under $5,000 and flight from police.

The investigation is ongoing as police work to identify the third suspect involved in this investigation.

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident and the third suspect involved is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or by leaving a tip online.

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