Two men were arrested north of Williams Lake after an RCMP pursuit involving a Ford pickup truck Wednesday, Jan. 29 that started south of the city and ended in the use of a spike belt and foot chase.
Williams Lake RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley said the incident began at about 10:40 a.m. when an officer tried to stop the pickup truck for speeding on Highway 97 south of Williams Lake.
When the officer could not stop the vehicle, another police vehicle joined him. They pursued the truck as it circled around, travelled north and then headed off Highway 97 toward Big Lake and eventually along the Mountain House Road, which connects to Highway 97 north of Williams Lake.
“We attempted to stop the vehicle at Mountain House Road near Highway 97 North and (the driver) refused to stop,” Pelley said. “It was spike-belted. At least three of the tires deflated and it went nearly 200 metres and pulled into a driveway.”
Two suspects emerged from the truck and started to run away in the area of Lynes Creek Road and Highway 97.
A foot chase ensued and one of the suspects was apprehended a short distance away, Pelley said.
Through local media, police asked nearby residents to remain in their homes and, if travelling, to not pick up any pedestrians. They also conducted vehicle checks in a road block on Highway 97.
“Over the course of the next couple of hours several properties were checked in the area, tracks were followed, police dog services attended from Quesnel and officers continued tracking up over the highway into the Lynes Creek Road area.”
Eventually the second suspect was located near a residence on Lynes Creek Road and taken into custody.
Both suspects are not well-known to police, however, they are known to police contact, Pelley said.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle and flight from police under the criminal code are being considered against the driver.
When asked if the truck was stolen, Pelley said that has yet to be determined and police are following up with the owner of the vehicle.
Praising the work of the Williams Lake RCMP General Duty officers, the Crime Reduction Unit, Cariboo-Chilcotin Traffic Services, police dog services and the Quesnel RCMP assistance, Pelley said the terrain was difficult.
“They went through high snow levels and icy roads for great distances to pursue these offenders,” he said, adding no injuries to either the suspects or the officers were observed.
Original updates:
3:02 p.m.
Two suspects have been arrested north of Williams Lake by police following a several-hour-long search Wednesday afternoon.
The police investigation took place near Lynes Creek Road.
Lynes Creek Road has now fully reopened, along with Highway 97.
Williams Lake RCMP Staff Sgt. Del Byron said there is no issue with public safety and traffic is back to normal.
No further information is available at this time.
Update: 1:15 p.m.
RCMP officers continue to check vehicles on Highway 97 north of Williams Lake. Police dog services are on scene and continue to track suspects.
Update 12:08 p.m.
RCMP have set up road blocks on Highway 97 and Lynes Creek Road. Any other information at this time is limited as RCMP are focused on the investigation right now.
Original 11:50 a.m.
RCMP are asking residents in the Lynes Creek Road area 25 kilometres north of Williams Lake to stay in their homes as they search for suspects.
Witnesses have told the Tribune there is a heavy police presence in the area, and Staff Sgt. Del Byron confirmed the police dog service is en route.
Byron is telling motorists not to stop for pedestrians and residents to stay in their homes as this incident is unfolding.
More to come.
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