The man who spotted his stolen car at a gas station in Coldstream earlier this week stepped in to help the responding RCMP officer make the arrest.

The man flagged down an officer on patrol after he saw his stolen vehicle parked at the nearby gas station, according to an RCMP media release issued today, July 30.

When the officer told the suspect he was under arrest, he put the vehicle in gear and tried to back up only to discover he was blocked in.

RCMP said at that point the suspect jumped out of the vehicle and physically resisted arrest.

That’s when the vehicle’s owner helped out and the suspect was taken into custody.

A female passenger in the stolen vehicle was also arrested at the scene but released from custody.

“We want to thank the person who stepped in to help our officer that day,” Vernon RCMP Supt. Blake MacLeod said in the release.

“Their willingness to assist when it was needed made a real difference and helped bring a challenging situation to a safe conclusion. We are sincerely grateful for their actions.”

Turns out the suspect is a prolific offender.

Bryce Inglehart, 32, of Vernon has been charged with possession of stolen property and five counts of failing to comply with a release order.

He appeared in court Wednesday and was remanded in custody.