Three suspects are still adrift after they cast away a boat they tried to steal.
A vigilant citizen spotted the theft in progress at about 9:10 a.m. on Tuesday. She observed three men driving off with someone else's boat and trailer behind their vehicle.
"A witness called police reporting that while on her way to a residence on Hoferkamp Road she noticed a black Chevrolet Tahoe driving in the opposite direction towards Highway 97 hauling a boat and trailer," explained Prince George RCMP spokeswoman Const. Julie Champagne. "The witness turned around and followed the boat and trailer which she knew to be stolen. As she was following the suspect vehicle, the witness called police."
The witness drew police to the moving target, the suspects and boat heading north on the Hart Highway, when they seemed to understand they were being followed. The suspect vehicle veered onto Northwood Pulpmill Road and went as far as Noranda Road East when they stopped and jettisoned their booty. One of the thieves jumped out of the vehicle, pulled the trailer pin, jumped back into the Tahoe, and the crooks sped off "leaving it in the middle of the road," said Champagne. Several motorists noticed this odd roadside attraction.
The first witness stayed with the boat until police arrived but another witness further north told police that a Tahoe sped past at a reckless rate of speed and turned onto a particular side road. Police were only moments behind.
"The suspect vehicle was located shortly after by RCMP members patrolling the area," Champagne said. "The vehicle was parked and unoccupied at the intersection of Steel Road and Banzer Drive. A member of the Prince George RCMP Police Dog Section attended the scene in an attempt to locate the suspects but with negative result."
Three suspects were described to police. All were believe to be Caucasian males.
The first suspect, who unhitched the boat and trailer was wearing blue denim shorts and a black hoodie with the hood over his head.
The second suspect, who was the driver, appeared to be in his 30s with reddish dark brown hair.
The third suspect was the front passenger and was wearing a black hoodie with the hood over his head.
The black Tahoe was later reported stolen by its registered owner.
The boat and trailer were returned to the rightful owner with no reported damage.
