POLICE – Whispered phone calls for help lead to vehicle pursuit, arrest

A large police presence observed throughout Kamloops yesterday (Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023) ended with one man in custody facing multiple recommended charges, including forcible confinement.

RCMP say that, around 5 p.m., Tk’emlúps Rural detachment received multiple abandoned 911 calls from a cellphone in which a woman could be heard whispering for help. During the investigation that followed, investigators were able to ascertain that a woman was believed to be forcibly confined in a vehicle.

“This situation was presented as extremely high-risk for the woman inside the vehicle,” said RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley.

“When the truck was located and failed to stop for officers, a police pursuit was authorized due to the concern for the woman’s life and safety. The response ended successfully with the victim being rescued, the suspect taken into custody, and no injuries received to any of the parties or police officers involved.”

Multiple officers from the Kamloops rural and city detachments, as well as members of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team (ERT) assisted in locating and stopping the vehicle as it fled through the city toward Chase, then back to Kamloops.

Police said several tactics, including spike belts, were used in an attempt to disable the truck, which came to a rest near Grand Boulevard and Highway 1. Two police vehicles, light controls at an intersection, and a civilian vehicle were damaged during the response.

The male suspect is being held for a bail hearing, with police recommending charges related to forcible confinement, breach of release order, flight from police; dangerous, and prohibitive driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, and failure to remain.

“This was a great coordinated effort and an exceptional resolution to a high-risk incident that spanned across our city and rural coverage areas, and was supported by local and district RCMP resources,” added Supt. Pelley.

Kamloops RCMP frontline officers, the Serious Crimes Unit, General Investigation Support Team, Forensic Identification Services, and the Crime Reduction Unit are assisting in the investigation involving multi-jurisdictional offences throughout the city and rural areas.

Anyone who witnessed, has video, or information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment at 250-314-1800 and reference file 2023-42397.