A weekend pick-up truck theft from Hosmer set off a chase and led to a suspect getting arrested by Elk Valley RCMP.
The investigation started on Saturday, June 8 shortly before 6 p.m., when police got a report of two southbound vehicles allegedly street racing along Highway 43 near Sparwood.
Police officials said one of the vehicles was a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 pick-up truck that was reported as stolen out of Hosmer.
Officers learned the other vehicle involved in the “race” was the truck’s registered owner who was persuing the suspect.
Police attempted to find the truck when it turned into the Sparwood Heights area, but the suspect was nowhere to be found.
“An officer found the truck abandoned at the end of Ponderosa Drive and observed the ignition was punched out and it matched the stolen vehicle reported from Hosmer earlier the same day,” said Elk Valley RCMP Staff Sergent Svend Nielsen.
“Police set up a containment area and searched for the unknown driver, but no one was located.”
A forensic examiner was called in to investigate and found possible evidence pointing to a suspect, a bag with two stolen BC license plates and other suspected stolen property.
Police officials said shortly after 10 a.m. the following day, a resident in the 1300 block of Matevic Road reported an unknown man walking onto her property from the river.
The owner spoke with the man, who told her he slept along the river and was travelling from Alberta to B.C. after getting a ride from a stranger.
Officers arrived on the scene and identified the man as a possible suspect in the stolen truck investigation.
Nielsen said this is an important reminder to let police handle the situation and not to engage yourself.
“Police caution any owner of property stolen to not engage with the people involved in any capacity in a similar situation, that your safest option is to report the location or people to the Police immediately and not create further safety concerns for themselves or others,” said Nielsen.
The investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
“Elk Valley RCMP notes these situations are isolated involving a small group of roving suspects and feel that there will be a no further significant impact to any of our communities as a result of these events,” explained Nielsen.
Anyone with more information about the case is asked to call the Elk Valley RCMP at 250-425-6233 or CrimeStoppers with reference to file 2024-1647.
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
