Tracking device leads Salmon Arm RCMP to stolen vehicle; surveillance leads police to suspect

SALMON ARM, B.C. — One man was arrested after a stolen company vehicle was left abandoned in the Shuswap, covered in branches and moss. 

At around 8:45 a.m. on April 4, Salmon Arm RCMP say an employee from a business on Ross Street reported a company vehicle was stolen earlier that morning. Video surveillance reportedly showed a lone individual entering the vehicle through force and driving away at 6:27 a.m. 

Live tracking in the vehicle showed it was located around Charcoal Creek Forest Service Road. With the help of the Air 4 helicopter, RCMP say the vehicle was spotted nearly 500 metres away from an encampment. It was towed away and examined by forensic identification specialists. 

RCMP say further video surveillance that was acquired helped them identify the suspect as a 35-year-old man who is well known to police.