Thief attempts to steal diesel fuel

On Friday, January 13, 2023, Logan Lake RCMP responded to a theft in progress at a Highway maintenance yard off of Highway 97 D.

An employee of the Highway maintenance crew observed a man suspected of syphoning diesel from one of their loader trucks parked in their maintenance yard.

The crew employee used his plow truck in an attempt to block the suspected thief from leaving in a Dodge Ram truck. In an attempt to flee, the driver rammed the plow truck which the driver discovered quickly was a futile attempt.

The driver changed plans and decided to flee by driving over a snow bank but became high centered in the process. The driver continued to spin his tires to free the truck but it then caught on fire and became fully engulfed in flames.

The driver and a female passenger escaped unharmed and began to walk away from the burning truck in an attempt to evade police.

The Logan Lake RCMP attended shortly after and located both the driver and female passenger on foot and were arrested without incident.

Cpl. Duncan states it was the quick thinking of the maintenance crew operator to block the truck that led to the suspect being captured. The investigation is ongoing and police suspect the truck was stolen out of Kamloops.

The driver, 35-year-old Sean Nicholson of Kamloops has been charged with Theft Under $5000, Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Prohibited, Fail to Comply with Undertaking, and Breach of a Probation Order.

Nicholson remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, January 26, 2023. The female passenger was not charged.

Further investigation into the stolen vehicle may result in additional charges.

If you have any information about this contact the Logan Lake RCMP at (250) 523-6222.