BMW driver arrested after erratic car ride in Kamloops
A BMW driver has been arrested following an erratic car ride in Kamloops today where the driver hit a police cruiser and continued going after driving over a spike belt.
The vehicle also didn't have any licence plates.
According to a Kamloops RCMP media release, police tried to pull the BMW over but the driver didn't stop.
RCMP officers then used a spike belt near the Halston just off of Highway 5, but although the BMW drove over the spikes, deflating two tires, the driver kept going.
In the interest of safety, police didn't pursue the vehicle.
The incident took place at around 12:30 p.m. today, May 9.
As the vehicle continued on, albeit with two flat tires, RCMP officers monitored its whereabouts.
Police then made another attempt to stop the BMW but it fled and then collided with a police cruiser heading towards the Oak Hills community.
"With the assistance of the Kamloops RCMP Targeted Enforcement Unit and the General Investigative Services Team, officers were able to discreetly keep an eye on the vehicle in the safest way possible, until the driver eventually stopped and exited," Kamloops RCMP Const. Crystal Evelyn said in a media release. "As soon as the suspect got out, officers and the Police Dog Services Unit moved in and took the man into custody, preventing his drive from resuming."
Police say a nearby independent school was placed on hold and secure – although there were no students present at the time due to a professional development day for staff.
"In this case, all units worked together to ensure the safety of the public in a very visible police incident, including our frontline officers, Traffic Service Unit, Police Dog Service, School Liaison, and more," Const. Evelyn said. "No one was injured, including the officer whose vehicle was struck."
The driver remains in custody and is facing numerous charges.
Kamloops RCMP would like to speak to anyone with any information or dashcam video related to this incident and asks the public to call Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2022-15278.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
