Kelowna man has argument with cab driver, then steals taxi

A Kelowna police dog caught a passenger accused of stealing a taxi after having an argument with the driver.

Kelowna RCMP report it received a call from the taxi driver asking for help who had said they'd been involved in an altercation with a passenger.

When police arrived on the scene, shortly after 8 p.m., Feb. 24, the officer found the passenger had fled the scene, by stealing the taxi and driving away.

"Frontline officers located the taxi a short distance away. With assistance from RCMP Police Dog Service, officers located the suspect in a parking lot off of Powick Road. Police Service Dog Jak and his handler apprehended the suspect who resisted arrest," Kelowna RCMP said in a press release.

The suspect was then treated for minor injuries.

"The quick response of our frontline officers, Jak and his handler led to the arrest of this suspect which may have prevented further offences from being committed," Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in the release.

The 35-year-old suspect is facing possible charges of theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.

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