Prince George, B.C. – Two males are in custody, suspected of breaking and entering a number of  rural properties west of Prince George.

RCMP  in Prince George  say they have received  a number of reports since August 11th of break and enters to properties  west of Prince George, including  Norman Lake.

Just before 11:30 last night,  an RCMP member  was returning from investigating one of these Break-ins when he observed a suspicious vehicle traveling on Norman Lake Road.   The vehicle was a cube van from a rental company .    The officer activated the emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop with the van.

According to police, the driver of the van failed to stop for police and headed back towards Highway 16.  Once the van reached Highway 16, the driver turned east towards Prince George and then turned north bound on Telachick Road.   At approximately 11:40 PM, a spike belt was utilized to stop the vehicle.  The two male occupants fled the van on foot. Ammunition was found in the cab of the van leading officers to believe the suspects may be armed.  No other occupants were found in the van.

A Police Dog Service Team attended the scene and began tracking the suspects through a dark wooded area.  Approximately 10 minutes later, officers began to feel the effects of bear mace in the area. Several minutes later, the officers located and arrested both suspects.

Both 30 year old males will be held in custody pending further investigation.  Several charges are likely.More information to be released as the investigation progresses.

“We believe that the van is full of stolen items from rural Break & Enters” says Cpl. Craig Douglass, spokesperson for the Prince George RCMP.  “We will be attempting to identify the owners of the recovered property.  We are asking the public to check their properties and report Break & Enters and stolen property.  It is likely that some of the Break & Enters have not yet been discovered and reported.”Â

To report a Break & Enter or theft of property that has previously occurred, call the Prince George RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-561-3300.

If you have any information about property offences or the persons responsible, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477