Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

DANGEROUS ARREST

RCMP use Taser to arrest hatchet-wielding suspect after wild pursuit through Kamloops

Oct 7, 2020 | 3:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP say a wanted man who wielded a hatchet at officers before being jolted by
a Taser early Wednesday morning has been arrested.

In a release, Staff Sgt. Mat Van Laer says the events leading up to a chaotic, visible incident along Tranquille Road Wednesday (Oct. 7) began Tuesday night.

On Tuesday, RCMP received a complaint of domestic assault involving a 24-year-old Kamloops man who had recently been released from jail. He was directed to report to Vision Quest upon his release, but failed to show up, and as a result, a breach charge was being sought.

Police say on Tuesday the man allegedly physically assaulted and injured a 25-year-old woman. He is also suspected of sexual assault, forcible confinement, and uttering threats against this female victim.

Wednesday morning around 1:15 a.m, police were called to the 1200-block of Monashee Court where the suspect had allegedly found and assaulted his previous victim again. When RCMP arrived on scene, the suspect fled in a vehicle after forcing his way by police cars and driving over lawns. During this escape, the suspect blew a back tire on his vehicle but continued driving.

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Other police units found the suspect while he was driving northbound on Third Avenue downtown and followed him to the 300-block of Tranquille Road. When he tried to evade police, the suspect allegedly drove on one, then two rear rims only, and drove toward the responding officers. Police were forced to take evasive actions to avoid injury.

The vehicle was eventually immobilized and the suspect allegedly resisted arrest and challenged RCMP. At one point, the suspected allegedly brandished a hatchet at police. Officers then had to use a Conducted Energy Weapon (Taser) to take the man into custody.

“This was definitely a high risk incident, involving a dangerous and violent offender who had no regards for public or police safety what-so-ever,” stated Van Laer. “In addition to the serious assault to the victim, we also had information that this individual could be carrying a firearm. We did everything we could to make every attempts at stopping this individual with the least possible risks to public, including the successful use of a spike belt.”

“Our members truly placed themselves in harm’s way to protect the public in this case, and I am very thankful that none of them were seriously hurt.”

Van Laer adds, RCMP ask anyone who was driving at the time of this event, and came across this suspect vehicle to contact them at (250)828-3000.