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Police searching for break-in suspect in Southview neighourhood

Two arrested after break-in at Kootenay Pawnbrokers.
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RCMP were active in the Southview neighbourhood on Thursday morning searching for a robbery suspect.

As of noon, Thursday, Jan. 29, a suspect in a break-in at a Cranbrook pawnbrokers was still at large. The vehicle he had escaped in, a black VW Jetta, was located, and police were searching a field and area in the Southview neighbourhood.

Two other people were arrested after at alarm at Kootenay Pawnbrokers was activated just before midnight on January 28.  When RCMP arrived the gate was open and several items from the Pawn Shop were located in the driveway.  Numerous items had been removed from the store by unknown persons.

Video surveillance showed three persons entered the business wearing masks and gloves.

A short time later, officers located two suspects at a local motel where, after speaking with people in the room, they were arrested in relation to the break-in.  While arresting the male and female, noise was heard coming from the bathroom.  RCMP entered the bathroom and found the window was taken out. It appeared someone had exited through the window.  Moments later a later model black VW Jetta was seen leaving from behind the Model A Motel. The vehicle took off at a high rate of speed toward Fernie.  Officers conducted patrols toward Fernie, when they observed the suspect vehicle coming towards them 177 km per hour. Officers activated their emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle; it did not stop and in fact sped up.

Police Dog Services attended and deployed the spike belt on Highway 3, just east of Cranbrook, the suspect Jetta managed to evade the belt and continued on into Cranbrook. A second RCMP member attempted to stop the vehicle but again the vehicle managed to maneuver around the police vehicle.  Due to safety concerns the pursuit was terminated as the vehicle continued at a high rate of speed down the Cranbrook strip, running red lights.

The Jetta was located Thursday, though the suspect was still at large. Police were searching a field and area in the Southview neighbourhood.

A male and female who claim to be from Calgary are currently in custody.  At this time police are working to confirm their identity and charges are pending.

If anyone sees a suspicious individual, please contact the RCMP at 250-489-3471 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).