Kamloops bystanders stop car-jacking

Source: Kamloops This Week

BRITISH COLUMBIA - A group of quick-thinking Kamloopsians is being credited with thwarting a car-jacker on the lam.

Kamloops RCMP said the incident began after a man stole a Chevy Silverado from the Econo Lodge parking lot along Highway 1 the morning of Nov. 29.

A company employee witnessed the theft and followed the suspect a block to a restaurant parking lot, where the man bailed out of the truck while it was still moving.

Four employees of the company happened to be eating in the restaurant saw the incident and gave chase.

The truck came to rest against a concrete barrier.

The suspect fled across the highway, where he flagged down a woman driving with her two children and tried unsuccessfully to get inside.

A firefighter on his way to work also came upon the scene and caught up with the suspect near the Finning plant.

The thief was held by the five employees and the firefighter until police arrived a short time after.

A 22-year-old man was arrested and faces a charge of theft over $5,000.

The man is a known prolific offender who is on a court-imposed curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

RCMP said he has a sizable criminal record, mostly for property-related crimes.

The police are also hoping to speak to the woman and are asking her to call the local detachment.