BC RCMP has arrested a US citizen who tried to evade Canadian officials by floating in the Kettle River for several hours.
BC RCMP officers in Grand Forks arrested a Washington State man who led police on a two-and-a-half hour ‘float chase’ down the Kettle River on Friday.
On Friday July 24, at approximately 1 am, Grand Forks RCMP was told about a stolen vehicle that had entered Canada illegally at the closed Port Cascade border crossing.
A spike belt was deployed successfully by U.S. officials, but the suspect continued to drive and allegedly rammed through the barriers at the border before dumping the vehicle and fleeing on foot into Canada.
Grand Forks RCMP located the stolen vehicle on Highway 3, just outside the downtown core. The man, however, wasn’t located, but was spotted back near the location where the stolen vehicle was recovered.
RCMP Officers tried to arrest him but he resisted and then jumped into the Kettle River where he floated for 2.5 hours while trying to flee the police.
Police, along with some good Samaritans, were able to wade into the river and escort him back to shore. He was taken into police custody without further incident.
The man was turned over to the Canada Border Service Agency on July 25.
The Grand Forks RCMP is working with CBSA officials on possible charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.
