Vernon bicycle cop catches car thief

VERNON – An RCMP officer on a bicycle tracked down and arrested a suspect alleged to have stolen a Mercedes after a short chase yesterday in Vernon.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, just after 2 p.m. yesterday, June 24, a bike patrol officer observed a suspected stolen vehicle while conducting patrols in the area around 25 Avenue and 34 Street in Vernon.

The bike patrol officer approached the vehicle in an attempt to make an arrest, but the driver fled on foot and a short chase on foot followed. The officer caught up the suspect who was arrested and taken in to custody. A multi-unit police response was in the area at the time of the arrest.

"Bike patrols officers often go undetected in certain areas and are able to roll up in the right place at the right time. They are a key component to our front line policing," RCMP Const. Kelly Brett said in the release. "This was great work by all the frontline officers involved, as stolen vehicles are often used to commit further offences."

The white Mercedes was allegedly stolen in Burnaby.

The 30-year-old man arrested is facing possible charges of possession of stolen property and obstructing a police officer.

Police say the RCMP Bike Unit will be out patrolling the streets of Vernon throughout the summer.

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