Suspicious vehicle report leads to arrest, charges

Kamloops City

2023-05-30 10:48 PDT

File # 2023-18663

A man is scheduled for court today following a report that led police to deploying a spike belt in Chase this weekend.

On Saturday May 27, 2023, just before 7 p.m., the Kamloops RCMP Detachment received a report of a possibly stolen truck parked near a commercial location on the 1000-block of Hillside Drive. 

Kamloops RCMP frontline officer attempted to stop the truck, but the driver allegedly failed to comply and fled toward Highway 1 and into the Chase area, where police successfully deployed a tire deflation device (spike belt). The driver of the truck pulled off the roadway and into a residential area, and then fled on foot into the river. Police located a female passenger in the truck and arrested her.

The male driver allegedly stole a paddle boat to get up the river, where he located and asked an area resident to give him a ride to town, claiming his boat had capsized, said Staff Sergeant Janelle Shoihet, a Kamloops RCMP Watch Commander.

"The resident agreed to drive him, but encountered a patrolling RCMP officer and stopped to speak with him. The officer confirmed the passenger was being sought by police, and the suspect was arrested without incident.

Kelly Dean Gerk, 23 of Tumbler Ridge, appeared before a Justice on Sunday May 28, 2023 to answer to his warrant for breach of release order, as well as new charges of flight from police, possession of stolen property and two new counts of breach. He has been held in custody with his next court appearance scheduled for May 30, 2023.

His passenger, a 23-year-old woman, also from Tumbler Ridge, was released without charge.

Anyone who witnessed, has video, or information related to this investigation is asked to please contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2023-18663.
 

Released by

Cpl. Crystal Evelyn

Email: crystal.evelyn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: kamloops.rcmp.ca

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