LAKE COUNTRY, B.C – RCMP found two young girls in the back seat of a suspected stolen vehicle Thursday night as it caught on fire when it tried to evade police.
A 48-year-old man arrested behind the wheel faces several potential charges while a 41-year-old woman who was a passenger was held on outstanding arrest warrants.
RCMP say they were tracking a suspected stolen white Acura on Old Vernon Road in Ellison at 11:30 P.M. Thursday, just outside of the City of Kelowna, as it was seen speeding towards Highway 97.
An unmarked police vehicle following the car called ahead to officers in Lake Country. They deployed a spike belt, which the car traveled across.
All four tires deteriorated quickly, but the vehicle continued to travel on rims at a slower speed, according to RCMP which continued pursuit with marked police cars accompanied by lights and sirens.
The vehicle attempted to exit Highway 97 to the Pelmewash Parkway. Sparks from the bare rims had now caught the vehicle on fire.
Police say the driver finally stopped. He and the female passenger were arrested while the uninjured children, young girls aged 5 and 8, were removed from the back seat by RCMP who turned the girls over to the Province for care.
The vehicle suffered extensive fire damage and police continue to investigate if it was stolen.
The driver faces charges of Cause Pursuit and Drive While Prohibited. Both he and the woman in the front seat were prohibited from driving.
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