Suspect trying to getaway from police in Okanagan smashes stolen car into cruiser

Kelowna RCMP assisted their Penticton counterparts in capturing the driver of vehicle stolen in Osoyoos yesterday.

Around 3 p.m., Nov. 2, officers in Kelowna were told the vehicle had been spotted driving on Highway 97 north of Summerland.

A coalition of cops – including plainclothes officers from Kelowna, the emergency response team, air services and police dog services – assisted the Penticton RCMP in “safely observing the vehicle,” according to an RCMP press release.

Eventually the vehicle stopped at the gas station in Twin Lakes on the 1000 block of Highway 3A.

As police moved in to arrest the driver, he attempted to get away by driving the stolen vehicle into a police cruiser, but once surrounded by police he surrendered and was taken into custody safely.

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The driver was a 32-year-old man from Oliver and in the vehicle police found two illegal firearms, one was fully loaded.

The man was held in custody until a court appearance today, Nov. 3.

Police are recommending multiple firearms charges, theft of a motor vehicle, possessing a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, assaulting a police officer and possessing property obtained by crime.

“This arrest might not have been made without the collaborative teamwork between all our neighbouring detachments and specialized units," Penticton RCMP spokesperson Const. James Grandy said in the release. “We’re pleased this coordination resulted in an arrest and reducing the risk to the public."

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