Chase RCMP's Battle with Stolen Tow Truck Ends in Arrest
By Sgt. Barry Kennedy, Chase RCMP Detachment
On January 3, 2024, at 0500 hrs, Chase RCMP were advised of the theft of a tow truck and the pickup truck, which was still on the truck from a previous towing incident earlier in the night. The two suspects were unable to remove the pickup truck from the tow truck, so they decided to steal the tow truck with the pickup still on it. The suspect drove the tow truck through the locked metal gate, destroying it. This alerted a neighbor, who then jumped into their personal vehicle and began following the stolen tow truck. When the tow truck attempted to smash into the witness's vehicle, the witness stopped following and alerted the police to the last known location of the tow truck.
Police were able to track the tow truck by following the tire marks left in the freshly fallen snow as they traveled through Turtle Valley but lost the tracks once they hit wet pavement on Squilax Anglemont Rd. Police conducted patrols in the area and were provided information that the tow truck was seen driving up the 670 Forest Service Rd near Scotch Creek. After conducting more patrols, police received further information that the tow truck had turned onto the 690 Forest Service Rd, which was not plowed and had received a lot of recent snowfall.
Police were able to follow the tire impressions in the snow for approximately 30 kms when they located the stolen tow truck stopped on the road. Police approached the vehicle and attempted to apprehend the occupants, but they fled in the tow truck. Police followed the tow truck until they reached the Seymour Arm Forest Service Rd, where the tow truck turned west and started to head back toward Anglemont. During this trek, the tow truck attempted, on two occasions, to reverse into the police vehicle to disable it, but police were able to avoid a collision.
Police continued to follow the tow truck while officers set up a position to deploy a spike belt near Scotch Creek. Police followed the tow truck for approximately 45 kms, back to Scotch Creek, and attempted to stop the tow truck by activating their emergency equipment, but the tow truck refused to stop. The spike belt was successfully deployed near Talana Bay on Squilax Anglemont Rd, deflating all six of the tow truck tires. The tow truck slowed to a stop and drove into the ditch, where two males fled from the tow truck. Police were able to contain the suspects in a gravel pit area, and one male was taken into custody while the second male managed to flee.
44-year-old William Davis COPPING of Chase has been charged with Theft Over $5000, Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000, and Evading Police. Further charges are expected. COPPING was released from custody following a Bail Hearing, with numerous conditions and is to appear in court in Kamloops on January 8, 2024.
