FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP
November 30, 2021 - 12:06 PM
A 40-year-old Vernon man driving a stolen minivan was finally brought to a halt with the use of a spike belt after he twice evaded police yesterday evening.
RCMP officers located a stolen minivan travelling southbound on Highway 97A near the intersection of Lansdowne Road in Spallumcheen yesterday, Nov. 29, according to an RCMP press release.
At roughly 9:45 p.m., an officer tried to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle didn't stop and sped off at a high rate of speed southbound on Highway 97A.
Police then attempted a second police stop after an officer noticed the minivan on Highway 97A near St Anne’s Road.
However, the vehicle did a U-turn and fled at high speed towards Vernon.
RCMP officers then set up and deployed a spike belt on Highway 97 near the intersection of Meadowlark Road, puncturing two tires and bringing the vehicle to a halt.
A 40-year-old Vernon man was then arrested without incident.
"The suspect, having failed to stop twice for police, was clearly motivated to avoid arrest," Vernon RCMP Cpl. Eric Beaulieu said in the release. "Our frontline officers did an excellent job prioritizing the safety of the public throughout this incident and their coordinated and timely response resulted in the safe conclusion and successful apprehension of the suspect."
The suspect now remains in custody.
The Vernon RCMP says the man was bound by a release order with a condition that he must not be found behind the steering wheel of any vehicle without the owner present. He now faces a number of potential charges.
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