Houston and Smithers RCMP coordinated a response on a stolen truck yesterday.
RCMP say according to a witness a man who had moments before been seen hitchhiking on the highway allegedly stole the truck from a workplace parking lot in east Houston.
The owner of the truck and a co-worker drove West on Highway 16 looking for the truck while Houston police coordinated a response with Smithers RCMP.
The truck’s owner found the truck driving near Telkwa and notified police.
According to the RCMP the suspect pulled off the highway and fled on foot after dropping a duffle bag containing documents from his release from custody just 14 hours earlier.
RCMP located the man hiding behind a fence and took him into custody.
The RCMP say they have charged 25-year-old Ryan Laidlaw from Smithers with theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, breach of recognizance and driving while suspended.