Spike belt eventually stops South Okanagan pickup thief

PENTICTON – Penticton RCMP deployed a spike belt to stop a vehicle thief in their tracks yesterday.

Police were notified of a stolen pickup truck yesterday, Nov. 6 around 2 p.m., travelling south to Penticton from Summerland, according to an RCMP media release.

Plainclothes officers saw the truck near Red Wing Resort on the north edge of the city and attempted to deploy spike strips, but the suspect was able to avoid the spikes by driving into the West Bench area, police say.

Officers and a police service dog unit located the vehicle travelling onto Penticton Indian Band lands and another set of spike belts were deployed.

These ones were successful in blowing out the stolen pickup’s tires and the suspect was arrested, but not before continuing up Green Mountain Road on the deflated tires until she could no longer continue.

The 24-year-old woman was held on charges of possession of stolen property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a controlled substance, flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

She has a court date scheduled for tomorrow Nov. 8.

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