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By Corey Fischer
Plane, Spike Belt Used To Stop Speeding

Plane, Spike Belt Used To Stop Speeding Driver

May 8, 2019 | 9:49 AM

Police used aircraft and a spike belt to stop a fleeing suspect in Lake Country.

“On May 7, 2019 at approximately 1:30 p.m., Lake Country RCMP were called upon to assist Vernon RCMP in searching for a suspect vehicle associated to a complaint in their area of jurisdiction, last seen headed towards the District of Lake Country,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Officers spotted what they believed to be the suspect vehicle, a black Honda Prelude, which allegedly failed to stop for police.

The car drove into the Carrs Landing area Tuesday at a high rate of speed, and in a dangerous manner.

An RCMP plane was dispatched to keep track of the vehicle from above, while on the ground, a spike belt was put down.

“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,” says O’Donaghey. “The driver and an unidentified passenger eventually ditched the vehicle and fled on foot.”

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Vernon plain clothes officers and Lake Country officers located the suspect driver who was taken into police custody, while the unidentified passenger remains at large.

A 31-year-old Kelowna man faces potential criminal charges.

O’Donaghey says the Honda Prelude was later determined not to be related to the original Vernon complaint.

by Corey Fischer

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