Thieves steal van to commit another crime

KELOWNA – Thieves doubled down early this morning, July 15, first stealing a van and then using it to commit another crime.

Kelowna RCMP spokesman Const. Steve Holmes said in press release someone broke into a locked compound in the 700 block of Evans Court some over night and stole a white 2007 Ford Econoline van, used as service vehicle for a mechanical company.

It was then used as the getaway vehicle in a break-in at a lumber company in the 400 block of Highway 33. While driving away, the white van struck a brown Toyota van, driven by a 67-year-old woman and almost forcing her off the road. The woman was shaken up but unhurt.

Police are looking for help locating the work van with a B.C. license plate number 7454BR. There is no company logo on the van but there is a Mechanical Contractors Association sticker in one of the rear door windows.

The work van had some previous damage on the passenger side and will now have fresh damage from the collision with the brown Toyota van.

Holmes said police are hoping to identify both the thieves and what they took with surveillance video and are asking anyone with information to contact Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.