Theft led to theft, and the clues led to a suspect now under arrest.
The April Fool's Day events started for police at about 5 a.m. when they got a call reporting a break-in to a barn on Angus Road in the West Lake area. A Honda ATV valued at almost $8,000 and a Troybilt snowblower valued at $1700 were stolen.
During the noon hour the same day, police got word that a 1997 Dodge pickup had been stolen from a home in the 1400 block of Diefenbaker Drive sometime overnight or that morning. The shed on the property was also broken into.
By Friday night at about 7 o'clock, police got visual contact with the stolen truck. It was being driven on Queensway when members of the RCMP's Crime Reduction Team spotted it.
"While fleeing from police, the driver of the stolen vehicle ran a red light at the corner of Winnipeg Street and 13th Avenue, colliding with a white Chevrolet Impala," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Although there was significant damage to both vehicles, no serious injuries were reported. The driver of the stolen truck fled the area on foot, but was located and arrested nearby."
When police checked the stolen pickup, they found the ATV from Angus Road inside.
Arrested was Mitchell Paul Gagne, 22, who has charges recommended against him including three counts of breach of probation, two counts of possession of stolen property, dangerous driving, flight from police, and possession of a controlled substance.
