Mounties arrest man after warning drivers about hitchhiker

Police arrested a man they were searching for Wednesday morning near Penzance, just a few hours after warning the public about him.

Early on Wednesday, the RCMP said officers were searching for a man they believed had stolen a white Dodge pickup with Manitoba licence plates. It had been reported driving erratically on Highway 11 near Lumsden but managed to get away from police there.

Around 10 a.m., police believed the man — described as about 6-foot-1, wearing a black track suit and having neck tattoos — had been trying to hitch a ride, walking down Highway 2 near Penzance.

As of noon, the RCMP said the man had been arrested with the help of police dogs and officers from the Craik, Watrous and Lumsden detachments.

There wasn’t any word on who he was or if any charges will be laid.