Salmon Arm RCMP are down a police vehicle after it was struck by a stolen truck earlier this month.
On Feb. 8 in Blind Bay, police received a report of a stolen truck, a 2006 black F-350, driving away from a man’s house
Police said a member of the complainant’s family then reported they were following the stolen F-350 eastbound on Blind Bay Rd. but were also being followed by a grey 2004 F-350 later confirmed stolen out of Kamloops.
RCMP officers caught up with the two stolen trucks and another vehicle driven by a family member of the stolen F-350’s owner.
Police said the grey F-350 then stopped in the middle of the road, a female exited and jumped into the black F-350. “The family member disobeyed police and followed the stolen black F-350 several kilometres up a dirt road,” Cst. Andrew Hodges, spokesperson for the Salmon Arm RCMP said.
“The vehicles eventually came to a stop, and the stolen F-350 reversed into the police vehicle disabling it, and fled the scene.”
The black F-350 was located shortly after stuck in a ditch in Eagle Bay. A resident then reported a male and female ran up a driveway and stole a 2006 Ford dump truck. The Ford dump truck was followed up a forest service road and located abandoned.
Police were in the middle of a dog track and could hear a female screaming for help in the distance. Just after 2 a.m., a 9-1-1 call came in from a woman reporting she fell down an embankment into a stream of water and suspected she had a broken leg. P
Police trekked 1.6 km through dense forest and steep terrain, eventually finding the woman.
The woman was arrested for possession of property obtained by crime, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, and assault peace officer with weapon. RCMP said she was then escorted back to the police vehicle and transported to a local hospital, where she was released from police custody with a future court date.
“Efforts by family or friends to try and stop a stolen vehicle is not something the RCMP condone or recommend. Individuals who engage in this type of action can risk their personal safety and the safety of the community,” Hodges said.
“Thankfully no officers, or family members were injured in this investigation. A male suspect has been identified, and three stolen vehicles were recovered.”
The file remains under further investigation.
