A Coldstream man is among two alleged thieves captured by a Kelowna RCMP canine named Dex.
Shortly before 4 a.m. Thursday, Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a theft in progress where a utility trailer, loaded with a camouflage Kawasaki side-by-side All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), was taken from a the driveway of a residence located in the 400 block of Peck Road.
“The owner, who witnessed the theft in progress and immediately called police, reported that his trailer struck and caused damage to the side of his house as the suspects drove away,” said RCMP spokesperson Const. Jesse O’Donaghey.
Police officers flooded the area patrolling for the suspect vehicle which was last seen headed towards Springfield Road.
Shortly after 4 a.m., an officer was passed by the suspect vehicle travelling northbound on Old Vernon Road.
Within a matter of minutes officers located the truck and trailer jackknifed and abandoned in the 4500 block of Postill Drive.
“Investigators found two sets of fresh footprints in the snow leading from suspect truck,” said O’Donaghey. “Officers set up an area of containment and called in a police dog to conduct a search.”
Kelowna RCMP police service dog Dex attended the scene and tracked one of the suspects north into a wooded area of dense underbrush and trees where police located and arrested their first suspect, a 37-year-old Coldstream man.
He was taken into police custody without incident.
After catching his first suspect, and while Dex was searching for the second, an officer on the perimeter of the area of containment located and arrested the second suspect who was attempting to flee the area in a taxi cab.
Dex’s second track led to where the suspect, a 37-year-old Kelowna man, was picked up by the taxi.
“Police have determined that the suspects managed to cut or break the lock from the trailer during the theft,” said O’Donaghey. “RCMP recommends that the public consider storing these types of trailers out of sight, use other vehicles to block the trailers in, chain them to a large fixed object, as well as ensure there is ample lighting in the area.”
Christopher Drummond of Coldstream and Chad Cutting of Kelowna have each been formally charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and theft over $5,000.
Drummond and Cutting remain in custody and are expected to appear in provincial court on Jan. 14.
