Suspect in Kelowna carjacking stole idling car
A 29-year-old Kelowna man, who attempted a carjacking yesterday, had stolen a car idling in someone's driveway earlier that day.
According to a Kelowna RCMP media release, police received a call that Honda Civic had been stolen from a driveway on Coronation Street at 8:50 a.m. Dec. 19.
The Civic had been left idling to warm it up. A few hours later the RCMP received several calls green about the Civic driving erratically downtown. The vehicle was hitting curbs, almost hit pedestrians, and was involved in a hit-and-run with another vehicle.
Kelowna RCMP say officers flooded the area in the hope of catching the driver. At 5:20 p.m. an RCMP officer located the Honda and attempted to stop it.
"The occupant took off almost striking the police vehicle in an effort to escape," Kelowna RCMP said in the release. "A few moments later the suspect was again located while attempting to carjack another vehicle but once again fled in the Honda when police approached."
Officers located the suspect who had lost control and used their vehicles to box the car in. After a brief struggle, and assistance from the Police Dog Service, the 29-year-old man was arrested.
"This was a frightening experience for many who were out enjoying the holiday season and going about their everyday activities," Kelowna RCMP Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in a media release. "The risk to the public was removed by the quick decision of Officers to stop the threat. These dedicated individuals then transitioned to gathering the evidence from the various scenes to ensure the suspect currently remains in custody."
Court records show that Luke Jack Ladouceur Cripps, born 1993, is now facing five charges of dangerous driving, invading police and theft of a motor vehicle. He remains in custody and was scheduled for a bail hearing today, Dec. 20.
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