A Kelowna RCMP Air Services fixed wing plane circled the skies above Carrs Landing Tuesday afternoon as Lake Country RCMP officers deployed a spike belt to halt a vehicle that allegedly failed to stop for Mounties.
On May 7, 2019 at approximately 1:30 p.m., Lake Country RCMP were called to assist Vernon RCMP in searching for a suspect vehicle associated to a complaint in their jurisdiction, last seen headed towards the District of Lake Country. Officers spotted what they believed to be the suspect vehicle, a black Honda Prelude. It allegedly failed to stop for police.
The vehicle, which was later determined not to be related to the original Vernon complaint, fled into the Carrs Landing area, being driven at high rates of speed and in a dangerous manner. A RCMP fixed wing aircraft responded to the area from Kelowna and supported front line officers in monitoring the Honda's movements from above.
"No matter which way he turned, the suspect found himself driving towards police who were already in the area. A spike belt deployed by a member of the Lake Country RCMP, along Barkley Road, effectively disabled the vehicle," states Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP. "The driver and an unidentified passenger eventually ditched the vehicle and fled on foot."
With the assistance of the RCMP plane, Vernon RCMP plain clothes officers and frontline Lake Country RCMP officers located the suspect driver who was taken into police custody. The unidentified passenger remains outstanding as police continue to investigate.
A 31-year-old Kelowna man faces potential criminal charges and remains in police custody at this time.
Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Lake Country RCMP at 250-766-2288.