A boat stolen from Grande Prairie has turned up in B.C. It was found as part of an investigation that took police through several interior B.C. communities.
The jet boat was first spotted being pulled by a pickup truck near McBride a little after 2 p.m. on December 12th. The driver didn’t stop for police and instead sped off, but McBride RCMP didn’t chase it as it was driving dangerously.
Valemount mounties also weren’t able to stop the vehicle as it got close to their community and Clearwater. The boat and trailer were found dumped in the middle of Highway 5 south of Valemount just before 3 p.m.
The truck, which was reported stolen out of Calgary, was spotted a short time later and a spike belt was used to slow it down heading into Clearwater. The driver continued on bare rims before stopping in the Vavenby area.
Two men ran from the truck, and one suspect was taken into custody with the help of Police Dog Services that evening. The search for the second was suspended overnight, but he was found by a police dog the next morning hiding up a tree after a resident reported someone on their property.
“The investigation is ongoing and spans multiple jurisdictions,” explains Corporal Dan Moskaluk. “Both suspects are facing a multitude of charges including possession of stolen property and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.”
The accused are both from Prince George, B.C. Police are now asking anyone who might have dash cam footage of the stolen truck, a white Ford F-450 with Alberta licence plate BBY0780, to contact McBride or Clearwater RCMP.