A truck owner that left their vehicle idling outside a Vernon business while they stepped inside had their truck stolen by an opportunistic theft.

However, as the driver's cell phone was still in the truck, the RCMP managed to track the stolen as it headed east on Highway 6.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, the truck's owner left the vehicle running while they entered a business in the 3000 block of 29 Avenue. The owner came to discover their truck had been stolen and immediately called 911.

Police say they responded and began to track the vehicle using the owner’s cell phone, which was still inside the stolen truck. An RCMP Air Services unit located the vehicle and continued to track travelling east on Highway 6. The truck eventually came to a stop on a forest service road and officers from the Nakusp RCMP and Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Police Dog Services arrested the driver without incident.

"Auto crime is predominately a crime of opportunity," Vernon RCMP Const. Chris Terleski said in the release. "Don’t tempt thieves. Remove valuables, lock your vehicle, and do not leave it unattended while it’s running."

The RCMP says a 32-year-old man remains in custody and is facing a number of potential criminal charges.

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