Suspect in vehicle theft swims away from police

PENTICTON – Police are continuing the search for a suspect in a stolen vehicle incident earlier this week.

Police spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says Oliver and Penticton RCMP personnel were investigating a suspected stolen vehicle Thursday night, June 29, on Highway 97 at Vaseaux Lake when the two occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee the scene.

Officers were able to track one suspect with the assistance of a police dog, but the second suspect jumped into Vaseaux Lake and swam away.

Police tried to locate the suspect using a rowboat, but the swimmer, who did not exhibit signs of distress or call for help, could not be located.

The Oliver Fire Department also took part in the search, which Wrigglesworth says continued Friday, using other search techniques that included use of a drone.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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