Reckless Driving Suspect arrested by Mounties

UFVRD:  The driver of a vehicle that allegedly would not stop for the Chilliwack RCMP remains in custody facing criminal charges.

The charges stem from a January 20, 2018 incident. The driver allegedly did not stop for a Chilliwack Traffic Service RCMP officer on Yale Road near Kerr Avenue.  Police began patrolling for the vehicle while forwarding the description to the RCMP Fraser Valley Traffic Service (FVTS) and neighbouring Upper Fraser Valley RCMP detachments.

Within an hour officers supported by RCMP Air Services (Air 1) located the vehicle abandoned on Laidlaw Road near Hope.   RCMP officers from Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope, FVTS and the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS) cordoned off the site where Police Service Dog Griff began following a track of human scent leading into the nearby woods.  The alleged driver of the SUV was quickly located by Griff and taken into custody.

Donald James Stoochnoff, 52, of Kelowna, faces criminal charges of fail to comply with recognizance, flight from police, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.  Mr. Stoochnoff remains in custody pending a court appearance later in January.

“The immediate engagement of RCMP resources pursuing their investigation across jurisdictional boundaries is responsible for the apprehension of the suspect,” says Corporal Mike Rail, spokesperson for the UFVRD.

RCMP remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe  to be suspicious in nature to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).