Suspect in Okanagan boat theft found hiding under inflatable boat

WEST KELOWNA – It wasn't the most discreet getaway, which may have helped Kelowna Mounties track down two men allegedly trying to get away with a stolen boat and truck.

It started Aug. 7 shortly after 1 p.m., when a keen Kelowna Mountie recognized a 24-foot Searay vessel stolen out of Summerland, being towed by a Ford E-350 passenger van stolen out of downtown Kelowna area across the William R. Bennett bridge into West Kelowna.

“The suspect driver of the stolen van refused to stop for police and continued down Westside Road after crossing the bridge over Okanagan Lake,” RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said, in a press release. “The van was located, a short time later, stopped in the middle of Lindley Road where officers took one male occupant into police custody without incident.”

Police set up an area of containment and brought in specialized resources, including a fixed-wing RCMP aircraft and a police canine team, to conduct a search for the second outstanding vehicle occupant who fled on foot. The search of the lakefront area, with many families out enjoying the beach in the extreme heat was challenging for the police dog.

“Thanks to an observant area resident, police later located and arrested their second suspect hidden underneath an inflatable boat in the immediate area,”   O’Donaghey said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.