Two men arrested thanks to police service dog

Police Service Dog Mysan played a key role in catching two men who fled from Kelowna RCMP.

Mounties were called to a construction site in the area of Highway 33 and Pyman Road at around 4 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, for reports of a theft of gas.

Three male suspects were allegedly filling up large barrels with gasoline and loading them into a U-Haul cube van.

Officers attempted to stop the van as it left the site and the occupants fled from the vehicle on foot into a wooded area.

Kelowna RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) was called in to assist in the search for the suspects.

“PDS dog Mysan and his handler tracked the suspects and located two of them who were both found hiding in the woods,” said Cpl. Garfield Henderson of Police Dog Services.

“Both suspects were arrested by the PDS team. The two suspects sustained minor injuries and were treated at hospital. This was a job well-done this morning by Mysan and his handler, who joined the Kelowna Regional RCMP Police Dog Services team in May of 2021.”

The suspects, 35-and 39-year old men, could face charges related to theft under $5,000 and flight from police.

The investigation is ongoing, and the RCMP is still searching for the third suspect.

Anyone with information about the incident or the individuals involved is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or to file an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).