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RCMP involved in two stolen vehicle pursuits

Castlegar RCMP response to two sepearate vehicle complaints resulted in road and foot chases over the weekend.

Castlegar RCMP had a busy couple of days last weekend dealing with vehicle complaints that led to chases on road and on foot that led to arrests and jail time. However, one suspect is still at large.

According to an RCMP media release, “On August 22nd at approximately 4:30 pm, Castlegar RCMP members were alerted to an erratic driving complaint involving a truck coming from Grand Forks area. The truck had been reported stolen out of Alberta. When Castlegar Officers activated their emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle, the driver began driving at dangerous speeds, going into oncoming traffic, so the Officers did not pursue the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle was seen on the Bombi, and again when Officers activated their emergency equipment, the vehicle sped off at dangerous speeds and the Officers backed off. A spike belt was set up on the east side of the Bombi, and the suspect truck struck the belt but kept driving at high speeds, even though the front tire was flat. A second spike belt was set up and the truck struck that one as well but kept driving until the rubber on the tires was completely disintegrated and it was driving on rims. The driver eventually lost control and went into the ditch on hwy 3 near Wildwood lane. The driver fled into the woods on foot, but the 2 passengers were apprehended near the crash scene. The passengers, a 20 year old female and an 18 year old male, were subsequently released from police custody. Police are requesting a warrant of arrest for the 22 year old male driver. All 3 subjects are from Alberta.”

The following day, RCMP received another suspicious vehicle complaint and discovered it too had been stolen in Alberta.

The media release states, “On August 23rd, Castlegar RCMP were responding to a suspicious vehicle complaint on 21st street and when they ran the licence plate they learned that the vehicle had been stolen out of Alberta. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time, however a male, believed to have been driving the vehicle was located in a yard. As the Officer was placing the male under arrest, the male turned and ran away on foot. He ran around a corner and through a shrub and struck a pole, which knocked him down. He was taken into custody and charged with possession of stolen property over $5000 and Obstructing a Police Officer. 25 year old Nathan Sonoda from Alberta, appeared in court on August 25th and pled guilty, receiving 4 months in jail, and 1 year probation.

 

 



Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
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