Police recover stolen vehicle on Westside Road

Police were able to track, and eventually stop, a stolen vehicle on Westside Road.

A 25-year-old Kelowna man was arrested.

The incident began as a report of a possible impaired driver on Westside Road at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, leading to a number of police resources being deployed.

Police were told the black pick-up truck was being driven in an erratic manner, and when provided with the licence plate, police confirmed the vehicle was stolen from the Vernon area the day before.

“Frontline officers from the North Rural RCMP were dispatched and located the vehicle stopped on a rural road off Westside Road,” Media Relations Officer Cpl. Tania Finn said. “When the officer approached the vehicle, the driver disregarded police direction and drove off at a high rate of speed. The police officer immediately advised the RCMP Southeast District Operations Centre of the description and last known direction of travel for the vehicle.”

RCMP Air Services was in the area at the time, and the pilot was able to track the truck as it drove southbound on Westside Road toward West Kelowna and provided regular updates to police officers on the ground.

“Frontline officers from West Kelowna, which included Kelowna detachment’s Police Dog Services unit, were advised of the truck’s direction of travel and successfully deployed a spike belt on Westside Road, with the vehicle being stopped at Nancee Way. With the vehicle disabled, the lone occupant was taken into custody without further incident. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as a result of this incident,” Finn said.

The suspect is facing numerous criminal charges including possession of stolen property over $5,000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police and breach of probation.