Police were taken on a chase and four people
were arrested when RCMP received reports of a
theft in progress while investigating break and enters
on Twin Lakes Road.
Darryn Allen Nelson, 40, Brian William Cooper,
27, Derek John Ledgard, 22 and Chelsey Anne
Thorstenson, 28 were arrested on Dec. 23 and are
facing charges related to multiple break-ins in the
Twin Lakes area.
Nelson is facing charges including flight from a
peace officer and dangerous operation of a motor
vehicle, and a breach of probation; Thorstenson is
charged with possession of a controlled substance;
Ledgard is charged with possession of stolen property
under $5,000 and theft under $5,000 and all
four suspects are charged with theft over $5,000 and
possession of stolen property under $5,000.
While investigating two break and enters near
Twin Lakes Road on Dec. 23 RCMP officers were
notified of another attempted theft by a resident of
Grand Oro Road and that four suspects fled in a
Mitsubishi Lancer with no license plates. The vehicle
was reportedly involved in an attempted theft of
the resident’s John Deere Gator.
Police followed the Lancer for several kilometres
and attempted to stop the vehicle with a road block
which led RCMP on a chase through the area.
The suspects threw a shotgun out of the window
of the vehicle while fleeing the scene, police said.
The suspects ran out of road on Saddlehorn Drive
in Kaleden and all occupants of the vehicle fled on
foot in various directions. Police set up a perimeter
and multiple units tracked the suspects down and a
police dog squad captured the final male after a fivekilometre
track.
Ledgard attempted to steal a truck after fleeing
the Lancer, police said, and was found with the wallet
of the owner of the truck on his person upon his
arrest.
Ledgard had an outstanding warrant out of
Penticton, Thorstenson had an outstanding warrant
out of Chase. Police said all suspects were involved
in previous break and enters on Twin Lakes Road
in the early morning hours. RCMP said a vehicle
search turned up multiple stolen items. Thorstenson,
who lives in Keremeos, was released on bail.
Ledgard and Nelson face bail hearings on Jan. 6
in Penticton.