Helicopter, dog unit used to find suspect

Kelowna Mounties pulled out all the stops to take a suspect into custody after he fled on foot after allegedly being seen inside a stolen car in Rutland.

“On August 3, 2019 at approximately 4:30 p.m., a front line Kelowna RCMP officer, conducting mobile patrols, came across an occupied stolen Toyota Corolla sedan parked along Petch Road in Rutland. The officer entered into a foot chase with a male suspect who failed to follow police commands and fled from the white sedan, which had reportedly been taken from a Kelowna area address on July 31,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

The Saturday afternoon chase went through multiple residential back yards, and a helicopter and dog unit was also needed to find and arrest the man.

“With the support of additional units to set-up an area of containment, along with the Kelowna RCMP Air Services helicopter circling the skies above, a police canine and his handler located and arrested the suspect,” said O’Donaghey.

The 26-year-old Kelowna man was remanded into police custody over the remainder of the long weekend.

He faces potential criminal charges and was set to appear in court today.