Police dog, public help police catch thieves

SALMON ARM – Police are thanking the public and a special police dog for capturing four people suspected of stealing a truck and trailer. 

On Sept. 6 around 2 a.m. police were called to Auto Road to investigate a stolen truck and trailer from a home, says Salmon Arm RCMP officer Sgt. Scott West. The owner found it quickly enough just down the road.

Police dog Maco and his handler was not far away and on one of his last shifts before retirement. He and his handler quickly tracked two suspects to a house and arrested them there. A nearby witness saw two more run in another direction from the truck and trailer.

A third person reported the suspicious people and got them closer before Maco once again tracked them to a nearby house where they were arrested after a short foot pursuit.

One of the suspects who attempted to flee had four warrants for his arrest from the Yukon. He was transported to Yukon to answer to multiple offences there. All four of them face new charges. 

"A thank you from the police is extended to the members of the public who provided investigators with timely information to get our police dog and his handler on the trail of these property criminals," West said. "On another note, this was a matter of pride for our Police Dog handler and his police dog Maco. Police dog Maco is due to retire soon and this may have been his last call. It is a great way to end his time with the RCMP and begin his well deserved retirement.)

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