Photo via Bill Cowen
Kamloops RCMP say one person is in custody after a Kami Cabs taxi was stolen at knifepoint this afternoon.
In a statement, Inspector Jeff Pelley, says police were called at 2:47 p.m. Friday to reports that a cab driver was threatened with a weapon and had their taxi stolen from Fortune Drive.
Witnesses report hearing two bangs of some sort before the cab fled with RCMP cruisers right behind it.
I have no other info. I was on the other side, driving, when there were two bangs (collisions, I assume) and then the cab booked it and the RCMP were right after it. Probably ten seconds before the accident pictured.
— Interior_Whale_Disposal (@_J_A_F_O_) August 5, 2022
Pelley says police tried to pull over the stolen taxi, noting it collided with two other vehicles before the suspect fled on foot.
At least one of those collisions happened near the intersection of Fortune Drive and Sydney Avenue just before 3 p.m., leading to traffic delays on the North Shore.
Pictures from the scene show the taxi on its roof and extensive damage to the right side of a red sedan.
Car accident near Mark’s Work Wearhouse on the North Shore. Taxi is on its roof. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/lTDT1FOpwd
— Mr. Jack (@armchairchief) August 5, 2022
“This is was very brazen and dangerous situation in a highly populated area of the city putting the public at extreme risk,” Pelley said.
“Through the immediate and strategic response of our front line members and Police Dog Services, this offender was successfully arrested and there were no injuries to the public.”
Pelley says the unidentified suspect is being held in custody for a bail hearing with police recommending charges of robbery, flight from police, dangerous driving, and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
People who witnessed the crash or those with video of it are being told to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.
