Vernon cop forced to jump ‘out of the way’ of stolen vehicle

VERNON – RCMP in Vernon are investigating after one of its officers had to jump out of the way of a car purposely trying to run them down last night.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP release, yesterday, Sept. 4, shortly after 10 p.m.

Officers noticed a suspicious vehicle in a business compound in the 4300 block of 25th Avenue yesterday, Sept. 4, shortly after 10 p.m., according to an RCMP media release. On approaching the area, the officer saw a man and woman fleeing the compound on foot.

"In an effort to flee the compound, the driver of the suspect vehicle allegedly attempted to hit an officer on scene, however, our officer was able to jump out of the way as to avoid injury," Vernon RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett said in a release.

"For concerns of public and police safety officers did not initiate a pursuit of the suspect vehicle, which was being driven in a dangerous manner. A short time later, police located their suspect vehicle abandoned in the area of 35 Avenue and 29 Street, which was confirmed stolen out of the Kelowna area."

The suspects were not found and the vehicle was impounded by police and the investigation is ongoing.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.