Assault suspect nabbed on highway

Mounties find their man hitchhiking after he allegedly fled police previous day

A suspect in a domestic assault case who fled from police was arrested while hitchhiking on Highway 33 the next day.

Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a domestic assault, which had allegedly occurred inside a home near Big White, just before noon on Tuesday.

While responding to the area, officers spotted and attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle, said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

The suspect failed to stop and fled from police.

Police air services located the suspect vehicle abandoned along a forestry service road.

RCMP officers from Kelowna, Penticton and Midway responded to the area, along with police dog services from the South Okanagan.

Police eventually called off the search for the man, who was “extremely motivated to avoid capture and obviously familiar with the backcountry,” said O’Donaghey.

After receiving tips from a witness, police returned to the area of Highway 33 Wednesday morning in search of a hitchhiker matching the description of the suspect.

“The suspect was located by police along Highway 33, between Westbridge and Rock Creek.

He was taken into custody shortly before 8:30 a.m.

The suspect, a 27-year-old Kelowna man, faces potential criminal charges and is awaiting his first appearance in court.