Police are seeking informaton identifying the driver of this stolen Kia Forte that was involved in an assault of a Penticton police officer early this morning, Sept. 28, 2020. SUBMITTED /Penticton RCMP

Penticton police searching for suspect after officer assaulted

RCMP are seeking public assistance in identifying a suspect police believe stole several vehicles before and after hitting a police officer in Penticton early this morning.

The Penticton RCMP officer was conducting a traffic stop in the alleyway of Latimer Street between Wade Avenue and Orchard Avenue around 12:30 a.m today, Sept. 28. The officer had a vehicle stopped in the alleyway, when another vehicle unrelated to the traffic stop backed into the pulled-over vehicle.

The suspect vehicle then pulled forward, struck the police officer and sideswiped the officer’s cruiser before fleeing the area.

The driver of the pulled-over car was not injured, but the officer was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 7 a.m., Osoyoos RCMP attended a vehicle fire near Fairwinds Drive where a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle, a white Kia Forte reported stolen from Rutland area of Kelowna on Sept. 26, was found burning.

A dark blue 90s Nissan pickup was reported stolen from a nearby address.

Police later located the Nissan at a local motel around 11:30 this morning, Sept. 28.

Police have images of the Kia involved in the officer assault.

Anyone with additional information about any of these incidents, or anyone with video surveillance footage that may aid in the investigation are asked to call Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300, Osoyoos RCMP at 250-495-7236 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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