A 31-year-old woman who dangerously eluded police in Penticton and Keremeos and was later arrested, allegedly in possession of a handgun and ammunition, was scheduled to appear in court Thursday in Penticton.
In a news release Thursday Cpl. Ted Manchulenko of the Penticton RCMP said Jodi Kornelsen, who has a lengthy criminal record, was arrested through negotiations with officers after the reported stolen vehicle she was driving was found stuck in the snow on a rural occupied property in the Apex Mountain region Tuesday
At one point, police say, the driver managed to miss a spike belt near Keremeos, at which time the RCMP helicopter was used to safely follow the vehicle.
Manchulenko added the police also received help in locating the vehicle from a witness.
RCMP were first alerted to the driver when a Penticton officer observed a silver Ford Explorer driving dangerously in the north end of town.
When the officer determined the vehicle was reported stolen from a Summerland residence in January he tried to initiate a stop but the driver refused and fled.
The dangerous driving by the suspect resulted in the pursuit being terminated. The officer immediately broadcast the vehicle’s description to other officers and the vehicle was observed driving dangerously through the Penticton city core.
Once again, police attempted to safely contain the area but were unsuccessful in stopping the truck which fled to the Okanagan Falls area, where further attempts were made without success.
The vehicle was then located by Keremeos officers and members of the RCMP traffic services division and the spike belt deployed.
In addition to the alleged possession of the handgun and ammunition, police also reportedly found paraphernalia for making disguises in the truck.
Police say Kornelsen was known to frequent Kelowna and Calgary and is facing numerous charges including dangerous driving relating to this and other matters.
As of noon Thursday the suspect had not made a first appearance in court.