Kelowna RCMP arrest two men driving dangerously after lengthy pursuit

Two men were arrested in a stolen truck after police chased them around Kelowna.

The truck, a white Dodge pickup, was reported stolen overnight from the 1000 block of Keyes Road on April 15, according to an RCMP media release.

Shortly after midnight on April 16, a white Dodge pickup was reported to be casing homes and driving erratically in a cul de sac in the 100 block of Gemini Road. A description of the vehicle and license plates confirmed it to be the same one stolen a day prior.

Later on, officers located the truck and observed “unprovoked dangerous driving behaviour” which included excessive speeding and curb hopping, according to the release. Several collisions were nearly caused.

Around 2 a.m., the driver allegedly tried to collide head-on with a police cruiser. The driver was observed crossing three lanes on Springfield Road, including the yellow line in the centre, “in what appeared to be a perpetrated attempt at colliding head on with a patrolling police vehicle travelling eastbound,” the release says.

The officer’s quick reaction prevented a high-speed collision that could have led to a “grievous” injury or death.

After that “extreme escalation of risk,” the RCMP decided to stop the truck “and restore public safety.”

The vehicle was located again at 2:40 a.m. travelling west on Highway 97. Officers were able to stop it with the help of emergency equipment along the centre median of Harvey Avenue, east of Pandosy Street.

The driver, who is known to police, was arrested immediately. The passenger fled on foot, but the RCMP set up a containment area, called in the RCMP Police Dog Services, and then located the male hiding nearby.

“These two individuals demonstrated a wanton disregard for the safety and wellbeing of the general public and the police officers who put themselves at risk to bring this dangerous situation to a safe conclusion,” Inspector Beth McAndie said in the release.

The two suspects remain in custody and are due in court today, April 17.

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