Coquihalla police incident not related to Lower Mainland ‘crime spree’: RCMP
Posted November 24, 2022 10:19 am.
Last Updated November 24, 2022 10:21 am.
Mounties are providing more details into why the Coquihalla Highway was shut down between Merritt and Hope Wednesday, quashing any speculation that it was linked to the high-profile “crime spree” that took place in the Lower Mainland this week.
The RCMP says three people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, which saw Highway 5 closed for several hours.
According to investigators, officers found a stolen black Dodge Ram pickup driving along the popular route near the Coquihalla Summit just after noon.
A stolen Dodge Ram pickup truck was spotted by officers near the Coquihalla on Nov. 23, 2022, leading to a chase that shut Highway 5 down for several hours. (Courtesy RCMP)
When police pulled the vehicle over, investigators say the driver sped off down a side road, before the truck got stuck and the suspects got out.
“Initial witnesses reported that one of the fleeing suspects was in possession of a firearm,” the Merritt RCMP said in an update Thursday.
Looks like swat teams on the way @CTVVancouver @GlobalBC @CityNewsTraffic pic.twitter.com/0k7YwQNUE8
— Kevin Cage (@kcage604) November 23, 2022
The RCMP says a construction site in the area was evacuated, as the workers there “were in close proximity to the last know sighting of the suspects.” Eventually, a woman was found and arrested, though two men remained on the run, police add.
Investigators say the decision to close the Coquihalla was made “out of an abundance of caution” as the search for the two remaining suspects continued.
“Without knowing their identities or their intentions, and reports indicating they were armed, we felt it was best to keep all members of the public from the scene,” said Sgt. Josh Roda of Merritt RCMP.
Police say the two men were reportedly found several hours later, around 6 p.m., and arrested.
Related articles:
-
Coquihalla reopens after ‘active and unfolding police incident’
-
Police, suspects exchange gunfire in Lower Mainland
-
Search for two suspects continues after ‘brazen and violent’ Lower Mainland ‘crime spree’
Investigators say the Dodge Ram was stolen in Coquitlam, and that the licence plate on the vehicle was determined to be from another stolen car in Langley.
The RCMP says there is “no indication” that the suspects arrested in this incident are related to what took place on the Lower Mainland Tuesday.
“We are aware of the online speculation on the identities of these suspects,” Roda added, noting there is also no evidence at this time to link them to a recent spate of events in Merritt.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have been in the area of Juliet Bridge, south of Merritt near the Summit, between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday to get in touch with the RCMP at 250.378.4262.
