On March 20, at 1:20 a.m., a Lake Country Mountie on routine traffic patrol stopped a Chevrolet Silverado pickup on Highway 97 near Lodge Road sensing something suspicious.
The officer had observed in the bed of the truck an ATV partially covered by a tarp and awkwardly secured with tie down straps. The officer had reason to believe that the vehicle operator was attempting to conceal the machine.
After a further examination of and investigation into the grey 2006 Yamaha Grizzly ATV, the officer discovered that it had in fact been reported stolen from a business to the Kelowna RCMP on Feb. 29.
The driver, a 39-year-old Kelowna man, and his passenger, a 34-year-old West Kelowna woman, were arrested for possession of stolen property over $5,000. A further search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a bag suspected to contain crack cocaine, crystal meth, heroin and steroids.
Both suspects were later released from police custody. They each face potential charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of a controlled substance. They are expected to appear in court on May 26.