(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - A pickup truck reported stolen out of the North Okanagan was involved in a string of traffic incidents this morning. 

Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says a white Ford F-150 pickup truck stolen in Armstrong was the subject of numerous 911 calls from the public today, March 19.

Around 6:26 a.m. police began receiving calls about an erratic and dangerous driver who had been involved in, and fled from, the scene of a rollover collision along Highway 97 near Beaver Lake Road on the border of Kelowna and Lake Country.

“Calls from the public continued to pour in, where residents reported that the same suspect Ford F-150 had been spotted at various locations throughout Rutland,” O’Donaghey says.

An off-duty RCMP officer became involved when he witnessed the driver commit an offence, O’Donaghey says. The suspect driver eventually stopped in the 400 block of Gerstmar Road and fled from the vehicle. The off-duty cop identified himself as a police officer and a struggle ensued, during which the officer was allegedly assaulted, O’Donaghey says.

“The criminal investigation remains in its early stages, as police prepare to conduct at least a dozen interviews with both witnesses and victims,” O’Donaghey says. “Our officers have yet to positively identify the young adult male they currently have in police custody.”

Once identified the suspect could face several potential charges. He remains in police custody.

If you witnessed any of the multiple crashes or observed the driving behaviour of the Ford F150 pickup truck involved and have not yet spoken to police you are urged to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

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