Speeding Kamloops truck thieves get away despite blowing tire on spike belt

Police almost caught their suspects when officers tried to intercept a stolen truck near Kamloops last night.

Tk'emlups Rural RCMP first responded to a break-in at a store on Pinantan Road around 9:35 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, where two men stole lottery tickets and tobacco products, according to a news release.

The two men left in a purple Dodge Ram but they were spotted by officers on their way to the scene.

"While en route to the location, a police officer observed a purple stolen truck which matched the description of the one used in the break-in,” Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said in the news release. “In an attempt to stop the truck, officers deployed a spike belt on Paul Lake Road.”

It deflated one of the tires, but didn't stop the truck.

The suspects kept on, speeding across the Halston Connector and eventually abandoned in Valleyview. Kamloops RCMP did get several reports of an erratic driver that night, which is what led them to find the truck on the 1900 block of Curlew Road.

A police dog searched the area, but couldn't find the suspects.

RCMP said the truck stolen but didn't say when it was reported or where it was stolen from.

Police are now looking to the public for information and video footage of the suspects.

“If you were out driving last night and saw a purple Dodge pickup truck travelling around with a flat tire, or noticed it in your neighbourhood, please have a look at any security and dash camera video you might have to see if it captured anything related to this incident,” Cpl. Evelyn said.

Anyone with information about the stolen truck or the break-in can contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment at 250-314-1800 and reference file 2023-4535.

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