Kamloops man charged following crime spree across Thompson Nicola region

Numerous criminal charges have been approved against a Kamloops man accused of carrying out a crime spree across the Thompson Nicola region at the beginning of the month.

“On April 1, 2021, the Logan Lake RCMP was alerted to a suspicious vehicle that was eventually located with a single male occupant in the Logan Lake Library parking lot. When police attempted to stop the vehicle it fled at a high rate of speed. It was later determined to be stolen,” stated Merritt RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda.

The Logan Lake RCMP located the suspect and stolen vehicle a short time later at a private residence in the 8500-block of Highway 97C. The suspect had allegedly broken into the residence and subsequently stole a motorhome, among other property including firearms, and again fled from police towards Merritt.

“The Merritt RCMP successfully deployed a spike belt and stopped the motorhome on a commercial property near the 2600-block of Highway 97C. The suspect driver was taken into police custody,” added Roda.

The BC Prosecution Service has approved criminal charges against 33-year-old Michael Russel Lazaruk of Kamloops.

Lazaruk has been formally charged with flight from police, carry a weapon or prohibited device, being in a dwelling house without lawful excuse, breaking and entering to steal a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm contrary to an order, and two counts of willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.