‘Dangerous individuals’ arrested in Kelowna

Two dangerous individuals were brought into custody in Kelowna early Friday morning.

The RCMP said a General Duty Officer observed a pickup truck stopped and blocking traffic on Bernard Ave. at 2:35 a.m.

A man was standing at the driver’s side window, speaking with a female driver.

The truck drove away and the man got into a black Jaguar with an Ontario plate and drove away without headlights.

The officer, in an unmarked police vehicle, followed the man across the bridge into West Kelowna. The suspect was travelling above the posted limit of 60/kmh as he crossed the lake.

On the other side, the Jaguar pulled into a driveway on Nancee Way, and the officer activated his emergency equipment.

The driver and a male passenger quickly exited the vehicle and became verbally combative with the officer, who called in backup.

Officers got control of the scene, and the driver was then arrested for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The passenger, a Montreal man found to have a Canada-Wide Parole Suspension Warrant for firearm offences, was also arrested.

A search found the driver’s license in the men’s possession did not belong to either of them, and a number of cell phones were also located.

The vehicle was impounded and both men were taken into custody.

“If it was not for the keen eye of the Kelowna RCMP Officer and his ability to keep calm in a highly volatile situation with two dangerous individuals, the outcome could have been different,” said Cst. Mike Della-Paolera, Media Relations Officer for the Kelowna RCMP.

“This passenger with an outstanding warrant is once again in custody where he should remain.”

This case remains under investigation, and Mounties say it is complicated as it involves several jurisdictions.

Further charges against the driver are being considered pending the findings of the investigation.