A city employee and three co-workers played a key role in apprehending a Dawson Creek man suspected of being behind the wheel of a stolen pickup truck carrying a stolen snowmobile.
Tyler Lee Calliou, 31, is in custody and faces six charges after the employee recognized the vehicle from a posting on social media, Prince George RCMP said Monday.
"Without this information, the suspect may not have been apprehended and the stolen property likely would not have been returned to the rightful owners," Cpl. Craig Douglass said.
RCMP said the four worked together to provide police with the details that allowed police to track down the suspect.
Calliou was arrested on Thursday morning on West Williams Road, just south of Red Rock.
Checks revealed the truck was stolen from Mackenzie, its licence plate was stolen from Beaverlodge, Alta., and the snowmobile was stolen from Dawson Creek, RCMP said.
It's believed Calliou was heading to Williams Lake.
A small quantity of heroin, cannabis and open liquor were found in the pickup, police said.
Calliou has been charged with two counts of possessing stolen property under $5,000, three counts of failing to comply with a recognizance and possessing a controlled substance.
RCMP are also asking snowmobile owners and those thinking of buying a second-hand one to take steps to avoid becoming a victim.
"This investigation demonstrates that stolen items such as snowmobiles can be easily transported through many communities in a short period of time, only to be resold on the black market," said Douglass. "Please take the necessary steps to secure all property of value and exercise caution when purchasing second hand items."
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