Three four-legged counterparts of the local RCMP were practicing their skills when they appear to have stopped a couple thieves in their tracks.
A Kelowna RCMP Mountie was on an unrelated file in the 700 block of Bernard Avenue Oct. 4 at 1:40 p.m., when she observed a male quickly exit a vehicle, leaving its engine running and fleeing the area on foot.
A quick query of the licence plate along with the vehicles description revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen on Monday, from the Mount Baldy Drive area of Kelowna.
"Officers converged on the scene and quickly set up an area of containment while police service dogs searched for the suspect," said Const. Jesse O'Donaghey, in a press release.
"During the police K9 track, articles of clothing and other items belonging to the suspect were located. The police dog eventually tracked up to the suspect at a business near the intersection of Bernard Avenue and Gordon Drive. The suspect was then taken into custody when confronted by our four legged officer."
RCMP investigators conducted a search of the recovered stolen vehicle and were disturbed to find a loaded shotgun leaning against the front passenger side seat.
“Officers also located additional personal belongings inside the vehicle they believed belonged to an alleged second theft suspect," said O'Donaghey.
That suspect was also located in the immediate area by a police service dog.
“It was truly unfortunate for these two suspects, that three RCMP K9s, with the Kelowna RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) Unit, just happened to be in the immediate area practising their skills during their weekly training drills,” said O’Donaghey.
Both suspects of Kelowna, a 30-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, were held in police custody overnight. Each face a variety of potential charges and were expected to appear in Court on Oct. 5.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.