A man who sparked a police manhunt Tuesday afternoon and prompted a warning to the public to avoid picking up hitchhikers is now in police custody and faces potential charges.
Just before noon yesterday, Kelowna Rural RCMP responded to a report of an alleged domestic assault at a home in the Big White area. In a media release, RCMP say they spotted and tried to stop the suspect’s vehicle, but he fled from police.
Police brought in help from their air services division and located the vehicle abandoned along a logging road. Officers from Kelowna, Midway and Penticton responded to the area, along with a dog handler from the South Okanagan.
After extensive search efforts to locate him from both land and air, RCMP eventually called off their search for the man who they described as “extremely motivated to avoid capture and obviously familiar with the backcountry.”
Police found the man along Highway 33, between Westbridge and Rock Creek, at about 8:30 this morning and say he was arrested without further incident.
Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says they’re very grateful for the public’s help.
The suspect, a 27-year-old Kelowna man, has since been returned to Kelowna, where he’s expected to appear in court.