UPDATE: The search for the suspect sought by multiple RCMP detachments yesterday has ended. The subject of yesterday’s warning to avoid picking up hitch hikers along Highway 33 was arrested Wednesday morning, after fleeing police following an alleged domestic assualt.
According to a media release from the Kelowna RCMP released Wednesday morning, Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a domestic assult in the Big White area. While responding, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle, which failed to stop and fled from police.
“Support was sought from Southeast District RCMP Air Services out of Kelowna, who later located the suspect vehicle abandoned along a Forestry Service Road. Several RCMP officers from multiple jurisdictions, which included Kelowna, Midway and Penticton responded to the area, along with RCMP Police Dog Services from the South Okanagan,” the release notes.
A news release issued late Tuesday warned residents to avoid picking up hitchhikers in the Rock Creek, Westbridge and Highway 33 areas. Anyone who saw a 6’3”, 221-pound man in black pants and black work boots was asked to call 911.
The search for the man was later called off, as the man was “extremely motivated to avoid capture” and very familiar with the back country, despite “extensive efforts” to locate him by both land and air.
“Thanks to valuable tips from vigilant members of the general public, officers returned to the area of Highway 33 earlier this morning in search of a hitch hiker matching our suspect’s description,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the Kelowna Regional RCMP in a news release. “The suspect was located by police along Highway 33, between Westbridge and Rock Creek. He was taken into police custody, shortly before 8:30 a.m. this morning, without further incident.”
RCMP note the suspect, a 27-year-old male, is facing “potential criminal charges” and is in Kelowna, where he is expected to appear in court.