Theft suspect tries to swim away from Mounties

It was anything but a routine arrest as Kelowna RCMP officers took three people into custody after an alleged break in at a business near Lake Country Thursday morning.

Officers observed a 2002 Dodge Ram truck at 12:30 a.m. on May 18 that was recognized as being involved in a break, enter and theft of another travel trailer hours earlier in the 300 block of Lougheed Road in Kelowna.

Officers followed the suspect truck, noting a male driver and a female and male passenger. It was determined all three were well known to police.

After following the truck, police watched the suspects break into a business in the 7800 block of Highway 97 north attempting to steal a travel trailer from a compound.

Several police officers and a police dog services team converged on the suspects.

One of the men and the woman tried fleeing in the truck, only to have it get stuck on an embankment and were arrested without any further incident.

“A second male suspect attempted to flee on foot towards Duck Lake, even trying to escape by swimming across the lake. However shortly after his attempt, he decided to turn back towards shore where officers were waiting and made his arrest without incident,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera stated.

It was determined that individual had a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest.

“This is another example of the excellent collaboration of several RCMP units to make an arrest of these suspects,” Della-Paolera said. “These three individuals clearly have no regard for the property of others, attempting to steal two travel trailers within hours of each other.”

The RCMP are recommending charges for three suspects while the stolen property will be returned to its rightful owners.