Police were taken on a chase and four people were arrested when RCMP received reports of a theft in progress while investigating break and enters on Twin Lakes Road.
Darryn Allen Nelson, 40, Brian William Cooper, 27, Derek John Ledgard, 22 and Chelsey Anne Thorstenson, 28 were arrested on Dec. 23 and are facing charges related to multiple break-ins in the Twin Lakes area.
Nelson is facing charges including flight from a peace officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and a breach of probation; Thorstenson is charged with possession of a controlled substance; Ledgard is charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 and theft under $5,000 and all four suspects are charged with theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property under $5,000.
While investigating two break and enters near Twin Lakes Road on Dec. 23 RCMP officers were notified of another attempted theft by a resident of Grand Oro Road and that four suspects fled in a Mitsubishi Lancer with no license plates. The vehicle was reportedly involved in an attempted theft of the resident’s John Deere Gator.
Police followed the Lancer for several kilometres and attempted to stop the vehicle with a road block which led RCMP on a chase through the area.
The suspects threw a shotgun out of the window of the vehicle while fleeing the scene, police said.
The suspects ran out of road on Saddlehorn Drive in Kaleden and all occupants of the vehicle fled on foot in various directions. Police set up a perimeter with multiple units tracking the suspects down and a police dog squad captured the final male after a five-kilometre track.
Ledgard attempted to steal a truck after fleeing the Lancer, police said, and was found with the wallet of the owner of the truck on his person upon his arrest.
Ledgard had an outstanding warrant out of Penticton, Thorstenson had an outstanding warrant out of Chase. Police said all suspects were involved in previous break and enters on Twin Lakes Road in the early morning hours.
RCMP said a vehicle search turned up multiple stolen items.
Thorstenson was scheduled for a bail hearing in Penticton Provincial Court on Dec. 29 while Cooper, Ledgard and Nelson face bail hearings on Jan. 6 in Penticton.