BC RCMP officers in Grand Forks arrested a Washington State
man, who led police on a two and a half hour “float chase,” down the Kettle River
Friday.
On Friday July 24, 2020, at approximately 1 a.m., Stevens County Sheriff’s
contacted Grand Forks RCMP to advise a stolen vehicle had entered Canada
illegally at the closed Port Cascade border crossing after they had attempted to
stop it in Kettle Falls, Washington. A spike belt was deployed successfully by U.S.
officials, however the suspect continued to drive and allegedly rammed through
the barriers at the border before dumping the vehicle and fleeing on foot into
Canada.
Grand Forks RCMP front line officers patrolled the area and eventually located the
stolen vehicle abandoned in the 7200-block of Highway 3 just outside the
downtown core, however, the man was not found.
Later the same day, the suspect was spotted back where the stolen vehicle was
recovered and RCMP officers attempted to arrest him, however he resisted and
ended up jumping into the waters of the Kettle River where he floated for 2.5
hours, attempting to evade capture.
Grand Forks RCMP, assisted by Midway RCMP was able to track the man by
walking along both sides of the river bank. At a point where the river narrowed, a
RCMP officer, along with some good Samaritans were able to wade into the river
and escort him back to shore. The man taken into police custody without further
incident.
For the RCMP Press Release: http://grandforks.bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2130&languageId=1&contentId=65355
***RCMP Press Release ***edited by Martin Huhn