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.

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