RCMP plane tracks suspected thief from Okanagan to Kamloops

A man who allegedly stole $1,500 from a woman in Kelowna didn’t realize police were keeping an eye on him as he tried to escape to Kamloops.

The victim contacted the Kelowna RCMP about the stolen cash on May 29, according to a release from the RCMP. She said the $1,500 was taken by a male acquaintance who fled on a blue Suzuki motorcycle with no license plate and that he was believed to be headed for Kamloops.

After the report came in, officers on patrol spotted the motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 97 near Lake Country.

A marked police car tried to pull the motorcycle over but the rider ignored police and “continued to ride dangerously at extreme speeds,” the release says.

An RCMP plane was dispatched and followed the suspect from Westwold to Kamloops.

“RCMP air services was deployed to lessen the dangers to other motorists by not getting into a high-speed pursuit with this individual,” Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in the release.

Upon the supsect's arrival in Kamloops, he parked at a hotel and went inside, oblivious to the RCMP aircraft that was monitoring him, RCMP said.

Officers then attended the hotel and quickly arrested the rider without incident. He's now facing charges that include theft under $5,000, flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Dan Walton

Before joining the ranks of InfoTel, Dan’s byline could be found in newspapers in Penticton, Peachland and Oliver. Prior to his arrival in the South Okanagan, he first sharpened his chops as a reporter at a radio station in Brighton, Ontario, and then newspapers in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and Invermere B.C.
From quilting competitions to crimes against humanity, Dan isn’t afraid to cover any topic. Always seeking out the best angles - whether it’s through the lens of his camera or the voices of his Interviews – he delves into the conflict and seeks out the humanity in every story worth telling.
Dan is always happy to hear from readers. To get in touch for any reason he can be contacted at (250) 488-3065 or dwalton@infonews.ca.

More Articles