Man facing auto theft charges

A Kelowna man is accused of stealing two vehicles, and driving them dangerously.

Police say on June 18, 2020, they were notified of an Acura Integra stolen overnight from the 700-block of Saucier Avenue in Kelowna. Later that day, officers with the RCMP Target Team witnessed the vehicle being driven by the accused, but did not attempt to stop the stolen vehicle due to the dangerous manner in which it was being operated. The vehicle was later recovered in the Peachland area.

On the morning of July 7, 2020, RCMP was notified that a white Honda Civic had been stolen overnight from the 700-block of Yorkville Street in Kelowna.

On July 9, the stolen vehicle was seen by officers on Rutland Road South in Kelowna. RCMP Air Services assisted RCMP in safely monitoring the vehicle from above. It was seen driving in a dangerous manner in the area of Pooley Road before being found abandoned in an orchard.

Front line and plain clothes officers flooded the area to search and took a man in custody.

The BC Prosecution Service has approved criminal charges.

Twenty-one-year-old Lenny Lipscombe has been charged in both instances with possession of stolen property under $5000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and breach of court orders. He remains in custody and is expected to appear in court next on July 30, 2020.

“Kelowna RCMP and its Target Team will continue to focus on repeat and prolific offenders in order to reduce crime and pursue their efforts for a safe community every single day” said Cpl. Guillaume Tanguay of the Kelowna Target Team.