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(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

A Nanaimo man is in custody after police recovered a stolen truck on Friday, one of three vehicles Kelowna RCMP recovered in just a few hours.

The Ford F-350 was only reported to be stolen a few hours before it was recovered just after midnight on Dec. 16, according to a Kelowna RCMP news release.

The truck collided with a parked vehicle, leaving both with "extensive" damage, but the driver fled the scene. The Proactive Enforcement unit and Police Dog Service tracked the suspect around Elliot Avenue, where a 27-year-old Nanaimo man was arrested.

Cole Forgaard was charged with multiple counts including possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of break-in instruments and breach of a release order.

He appeared in court that day, but he's still in custody with another appearance scheduled tomorrow. Police said he had three outstanding warrants from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

The F-350 was reported stolen on Dec. 15 from the long-term parking lot at the Kelowna airport, according to Kelowna RCMP.

Minutes after Forgaard was arrested, police found an abandoned GMC Sierra with unmatched licence plates in an alley near Kelowna General Hospital.

The truck was stolen from the Rutland area that morning when it was unattended, running in the owner's driveway, RCMP said.

The investigation is ongoing and police did not mention any arrests.

Another vehicle was recovered on the evening of Dec. 15, when a Nissan Maxima with no plates was found parked behind a Pandosy Street apartment. The car was stolen from West Kelowna on Dec. 7 when it was also running and unattended.

Police returned the car to its owner, but haven't made any arrests yet.

None of the three investigations are related, RCMP said.

“The Kelowna detachment has made countering property crime a top priority. All levels including patrol officers as well as specialized units are focused on reducing this type of crime,” Cpl. Guillaume Tanguay of the Prolific Offenders Unit said in the news release.

Police said stolen vehicles are usually used during future property crimes, and reminded the public that unsecured vehicles left running are "easy targets" for criminals.

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