From the Kamloops Daily News,
January 23, 2004

Shots fired in police chase
by Jason Hewlett

A police chase involving a helicopter and dog unit ended with shots fired in a North Shore neighbourhood Thursday after a stolen credit card was used to buy goods from a nearby gas station.

The incident began at 10:36 a.m. when two men entered the Esso/Robo Car Wash at 204 Tranquille Rd. and attempted to make a purchase from the outlet’s convenience store.

“They were paying with a Visa and when we phoned it in for authorization we were told to call the police,” said manager Rob Phillips.

The suspects fled to a nearby Toyota Corolla and were pulling away from the store when a police car drove up.

“The police put on their lights and the guys took off. They nudged the police car out of the way and headed north on Tranquille.”

Cpl. Mike Stewart said RCMP cordoned off the area and called in their helicopter to search for the suspects.

“The ramming of a car is unusual. It automatically raises a flag and causes concern for the safety of the public and officers.”

The helicopter spotted the Toyota in the parking lot of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School on Poplar Street. Police attempted to box the suspects in, but they managed to elude capture for a second time, damaging police cruisers in the process.

The helicopter directed officers into the suspect’s path and a spike belt was deployed, blowing out one of the car’s tires. The vehicle managed to drive onto the 400-block of Alexander Avenue before coming to a halt.

“The suspects pulled into a garage and one occupant was seen running to a nearby home, which was a duplex. The second occupant was arrested near the car.”

The area was cordoned off and residents evacuated from the duplex. A dog team was called to the scene and began a search of the yard.

“During the search the police dog was attacked by two large dogs. Officers were able to control one dog but the other continued to attack and police had to put it down.”

A few shots were fired into the dog, which was later identified as a pit bull. The police dog suffered several puncture wounds but was able to carry on with the search.

The owner of the pitbull has not been identified.

The second suspect was found in the duplex hiding in a closet under various household items. He was arrested without incident.

A 22-year-old Langley man and a 26-year-old Surrey man are in custody and facing numerous charges, including dangerous driving.

The vehicle they were driving was rented from Victoria under what Stewart called “suspicious circumstance.”

“It is believed that the same car had been seen unloading goods at the same residence earlier in the day. We’re not sure what the goods were or if they were stolen. We’re seeing if these two incidents are related.”

The two men will appear in Kamloops provincial court today.

The police dog was taken to a veterinarian, given antibiotics, and later released.

Stewart said the helicopter played an essential role in capturing the suspects.

“We might not have caught them without it. The chase would have been terminated and they could have gotten away.”

An investigation is ongoing.