UPDATE: Bennett bridge reopens in Kelowna; two suspects arrested; few clues what it was all about

KELOWNA – Police have two people in custody after shutting down the Bennett bridge for roughly an hour this morning, but it remains unclear why police took the extreme step.

In a release this evening, Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl Jesse O'Donaghey says the pursuit began in Penticton. An officer stopped a 'suspicious vehicle' with two occupants inside earlier this morning, Jan. 12.

"The driver sped off before police could speak with them," O'Donaghey says. "Police did not pursue, but shared information about the vehicle with other nearby detachments."

Police tried again to stop the vehicle in West Kelowna and called in the RCMP helicopter and a dog team around 10 a.m. 

"For safety reasons police decided to partially shut down the W.C. Bennett bridge, at which time the suspect vehicle came to a stop. Both suspects were then apprehended by police," he says.

He did not indicate what charges the men face, if any. Eastbound traffic on the westside was stopped entirely during the police business. 

"We very much appreciate the public’s patience when it comes to situations such as this," he says. "Making sure no one gets hurt is always our top goal, and that’s why we’re very pleased to have resources such as Air Services and police dogs to help us quickly conclude these type of situations."

If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.

— This story was updated at 11:04 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 to say an eastbound lane on the bridge was open and again at 5:21 p.m. with new information from police

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