Armed suspect eludes police, later arrested in Vernon
A usually quiet suburban street was filled with police Friday afternoon and evening as members of the Salmon Arm RCMP and the Southeast District Emergency Response Team attempted to arrest an armed suspect.
Police were focused on a home in the 200-block of 17th Street SE, after reports a man, who was in possession of a handgun and a stolen vehicle, was inside.
The situation began at 1:30 p.m. March 2 when the local detachment received anonymous information that a 28-year-old man was in possession of a gun and had pointed it at people known to him. Further information indicated the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle.
After intensive patrols, police found the stolen vehicle. Police were then able to identify the home on 17th Street SE as being occupied by the suspect and the area was contained by police.
A short time later, a woman left the residence and attempted to get into the stolen vehicle. The woman was arrested and taken to the Salmon Arm detachment.
At that point, the RCMP's Emergency Response Team was called in to assist with the situation.
Police continued to monitor the home and watched as a second woman left the residence. She was stopped, detained and a subsequent search turned up a loaded .45 calibre handgun in her backpack.
RCMP remained on site and the Emergency Response Team arrived in the area. During this time, it was learned that the suspect had managed to flee the home on foot. A police dog was used to track the suspect, but lost the trail through the densely populated area.
A search warrant was obtained for the residence, but it was found to be vacant.
The male suspect in the case was arrested the following day in Vernon on unrelated charges.
Criminal charges are pending against the two women including possession of a restricted weapon and possession of stolen property with a value of over $5,000.
The matter is still under investigation and charges against the male suspect are expected.
The names of all three suspects are not being released until charges are formally approved by Crown Counsel.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.