Suspect arrested after trying to run police off the road with stolen truck

VERNON – The driver of a stolen truck gave police a hard time before crashing the absconded ride and being placed under arrest. 

Police were notified Aug. 23 around 12:31 p.m. that a stolen vehicle was traveling on 25 Avenue towards Francis Street. Officers located the truck speeding down Hartnell Road a short time later.

“The driver tried to run our officers off the road,” RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says.

Police pulled over to the side of the road and did not engage in a pursuit. A spike belt was set up but the truck crashed into the ditch at Hartnell Road and Dixon Dam Road just before running over it.

Two suspects fled the scene on foot but didn't make it far. A perimeter was set up around the area and the police dog unit called in to assist. 

Officers arrested a 21-year-old Vernon man, however he wasn’t taken to police cells.

“The suspect was taken to hospital to have his injuries treated as a result of the accident,” Molendyk says.

The second suspect was identified but not arrested. The file remains under investigation with possible charges to be laid at a later date, Molendyk says.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.