Two people are in custody after fleeing from a stolen vehicle Friday, thanks to police service dogs Jak and Taz.
At approximately 7:15 a.m. Friday, a member of the Prince George RCMP’s police dog services section, located a stolen 2003 Ford F-350 pickup traveling south on Highway 97, between Prince George and Hixon.
Before the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver turned onto Carver Road, went through a ditch and ended up stuck in a nearby field. The man and woman in the vehicle fled on foot into a wooded area.
More officers arrived to assist including two other police dog service teams. Jak was deployed to track the two suspects. Jak tracked through brush for approximately two kilometres until the suspects were located and arrested with the assistance of police service dog Taz. A loaded shotgun, an improvised explosive device and other weapons were located in close proximity to the male suspect, say poice.
The 19-year-old woman was transported to the detachment after a brief stop at the hospital for treatment of minor bite wounds. The 27-year-old man was transported directly to the detachment. Both are from Prince George and both will be held for court.
The recovered truck had been reported stolen at approximately 4:15 a.m. from a residence on Piedmont Crescent in Prince George.
The BC RCMP’s Explosive Disposal Section was called into safely destroy the improvised explosive device.
If you have any information about vehicle theft in our community, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.