POLICE – Two caught with stolen truck, driver sought in second incident

UPDATE: A female suspect has been arrested in Chilliwack in connection with the incident at 288 Tranquille Road earlier today and will appear in court tomorrow (Dec. 7, 2019).

Police are looking for a woman who escaped arrest today (Dec. 6, 2019) by driving a stolen vehicle through several parked cars near 288 Tranquille Road and making a getaway.

At about 12:30 plainclothes police officers from the Kamloops RCMP came across a vehicle that had been previously reported stolen from Surrey. As they tried to arrest the driver, she made her daring escape.

RCMP say she drove through Kamloops with a seriously damaged vehicle, causing many people to report her vehicle and her location to police. Officers eventually caught up to the stolen vehicle after it was abandoned in the Canadian Tire parking lot at 1441 Hillside Drive. The driver left on foot and could not be located.

Any information about the woman can be reported directly to the Kamloops RCMP at 250-282-3000, or via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

It was the second incident involving a stolen vehicle today.

Earlier in the day, at about 11:10 a.m., police received a call from someone claiming to be following a stolen pickup truck. The complainant advised that the vehicle was last seen heading north on Criss Creek Road.

Police confirmed it was, in fact, a vehicle that was previously stolen from Kamloops during the night of Dec. 4. Members were able to  catch up to the vehicle about 13 km up Criss Creek Road, where two suspects were arrested.

A 32-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman are in custody. Police are forwarding their information to Crown counsel for consideration of charges.

“This was a very good response from our police officers today,” said S/Sgt Mat. Van Laer. “Because of the risk to the public, we take theft of vehicle very seriously, and are very pleased to have made those arrests today.”

While the call was initiated by a member of the public following the stolen vehicle, Laer warned that any such incidents are best left to properly trained and equipped police officers.

“While we are obviously thankful for the report, we certainly do not encourage anyone to follow these people anywhere, as it can cause a dangerous chain reaction to themselves and the public,” he added.