Alleged thief plays hard to get, leads police on chase through South Okanagan vineyards

PENTICTON – A foot chase through vineyards and thick bush in the South Okanagan is what it took to take down a prolific offender.

Osoyoos RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Jay Bayda said in a press release an unnamed 24-year-old man was arrested yesterday morning, Oct. 17, after police responded to a complaint of a man committing thefts.

Bayda says there was "an extensive foot pursuit and search through vineyards as well as thick brush."

RCMP allege the man was “criminally active” over the last several weeks in the South Okanagan and responded with assistance from Oliver RCMP and the Penticton RCMP dog squad.

The man has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on Friday, Oct. 20 in Penticton.

Bayda said police are looking for the owner of a large black toolbox with a Lordco sticker on it as well as a smaller aluminum tool box that were seized during the investigation.

If you think this property could be yours, contact the Osoyoos detachment at 250-495-7236 and quote file number 2017-5924.

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