Merritt RCMP provide update on highway closure, police investigation

Merritt,
Patrouille routière de la C.-B.,
Unité mixte d'enquête sur le crime organisé

2022-11-24 08:16 HNP

Dossier nº 2022-5569

On November 23, 2022 the Merritt RCMP issued a news release advising the public that the Coquihalla BC Highway #5 had been closed to an active an ongoing police incident

News release - Nov 23, 2022

At approximately 12:15 RCMP officers from BC Highway Patrol, working alongside members Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC) located a stolen black Dodge Ram pickup travelling on the Coquihalla near the Coquihalla Summit.

A traffic stop was initiated, however the vehicle fled the and proceeded down a side road. The vehicle became stuck and three occupants ran from the vehicle. Initial witnesses reported that one of the fleeing suspects was in possession of a firearm.

Over a dozen construction workers at a nearby worksite were evacuated as they were in close proximity to the last know sighting of the suspects.

Frontline members from the Merritt RCMP Detachment along with South-East District Emergency Response Team responded immediately to the area and began searching for the suspects. One woman was located and arrested shortly after, but two male suspects remained at large.

Out of an abundance of caution the highway was closed for several hours while we searched the area for these suspects said Sergeant Josh Roda, A/Detachment Commander Merritt RCMP 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

After searching for several hours, at approximately 6:00 p.m. the two men were located and arrested without incident. They have been transported to the Merritt RCMP Detachment.

Through investigation it has been confirmed that the black Dodge Ram 2500 was stolen out of Coquitlam and the licence plate attached to the vehicle was stolen out of Langley.

dashcam picture of stolen black dodge pickup truck

We are aware of the online speculation on the identities of these suspects. Although we are in the preliminary stages of this investigation, there is no indication that these suspects are related to any recent high-profile events in the lower mainland, or Merritt Roda added.

The BC Highway Patrol along with the Merritt RCMP want to thank the following partners who were instrumental in this investigation;

The Merritt RCMP is asking any witnesses with dash-camera video or were near the area of Juliet Bridge, just south of Merritt near the Coquihalla summit between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on November 23 to please call the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.

Diffusé par :

Serg. Chris Manseau

S.-off.-cons. de district (relations avec les médias)
District du Lower Mainland
14200, voie Green Timbers, arrêt postal no 1608, Surrey (C.-B.) V3T 6P3
Bureau : 778-290-3791
Cellulaire : 250-413-7954

Courriel : chris.manseau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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