Phone app helps RCMP find stolen minivan near Revelstoke

A phone app helped RCMP officers find a stolen minivan just hours after it was taken from a Falkland home.

On Nov. 9, at 9:12 a.m., Revelstoke RCMP received a request to assist North Okanagan Rural RCMP who were investigating the theft of a Kia Sedona from the Falkland area. The vehicle's owner used a mobile app and provided investigators with a real time GPS position for the stolen vehicle.

“A frontline Revelstoke RCMP officer initially spotted the stolen Kia along the Trans-Canada, being driven in a dangerous manner, in the oncoming lane of the highway at a high rate of speed,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the B.C. RCMP Southeast District, in a press release. “An attempt to initiate a traffic stop was made, however the vehicle failed to stop, and for public safety reasons police did not pursue and the vehicle continued eastbound.”

With support from a RCMP helicopter, Revelstoke RCMP located the vehicle parked at the Giant Cedars Boardwalk National Park and police blocked the entrance area. The suspect fled from police on foot into the bush.

A 34-year-old Alberta man was arrested near the highway. He now faces potential criminal charges.

If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to call the Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255.

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