Police locate stolen van, arrest three

PENTICTON – Penticton RCMP’s Targeted Enforcement Unit charged three people in connection with a stolen vehicle spotted by the unit in Penticton yesterday.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said the unit observed a 2003 Pontiac Montana van on Penticton Avenue around 9:30 a.m. yesterday, July 31, that had two differing plates on the vehicle.

When police tried to stop the vehicle, it took off down the street.

Officers eventually stopped the van on Manitoba Street where one man jumped from the van and tried to flee the scene, dropping backpacks as he ran.

Police arrested the man and collected bolt cutters out of one of the backpacks he dropped.

A man and a woman back at the van were also arrested, the 32-year-old man charged with two counts of stolen property and the 54-year-old woman charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property.

The woman was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine.

Both were released on a promise to appear.

The 33-year-old man who tried to flee is facing several charges, including possession of stolen property, possessing break and enter tools, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Police investigation revealed the van was reported stolen July 27 from an Arnott Place address.

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