By Ashley Legassic

UPDATE: Kamloops RCMP finish raiding commercial unit downtown

Dec 6, 2018 | 10:14 AM

KAMLOOPS — Two men are wanted by police in connection to a lengthy investigation that led to a search warrant execution this morning.

As part of an ongoing investigation, Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says officers executed a search warrant today at 1-1485 Lorne St. East downtown. That search warrant has now completed, and although police can’t comment on what was found or seized — extra caution was taken when a potential explosive device was found.

“During the search we did end up having to evacuate a neighbour that was in a residence and also a neighbour in a commercial business there,” Shelkie says. “We found some devices that we believed to be explosives however we did have the explosive device unit come in immediately and they determined that there was no risk. They found them to be benign and so the people were allowed back to their residence and to their business.”

The investigation originally began last January, when officers attended a home on Badger Drive in Dallas for a report of a home invasion. After entering the home, police found evidence of criminal activity and garnered a search warrant.

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The search revealed numerous firearms, bomb-making materials, a quantity of cash and narcotics inside, Shelkie says. The investigation didn’t immediately result in charges, but police continued on with it.

Officers then executed another search warrant in Westsyde three days later hoping for further evidence. Both the Dallas and Westsyde homes were used by Cameron Cole, Shelkie says.

Cameron Ronald Cole, 35, has been charged with three counts of possessing a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, possessing a prohibited firearm without being the licenced holder, storing a firearm contrary to regulations, possession of ammunition for the purpose of committing an offence, possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing an improvised explosive device with the intent to endanger life, two counts of possessing an improvised explosive device, and possession of a weapon, device or firearm while prohibited.

Police are currently searching for Cole, who is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant.

Cole used an alias of “Jeff Parks” while renting the Badger Drive home, and has also used the alias “Jake”, Shelkie says. It’s possible that he has rented other residential or commercial locations and there may be illegal or dangerous items stored at these places. Police have released a photo of Cole and are asking residential and commercial landlords to inspect it. If you believe you may have rented or had dealing with Cole, call Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000.

What originally drew police to the home on Badger Drive was a report of a disturbance from neighbours,” Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay says in the release. “That disturbance was in fact an armed robbery, commonly referred to as a ‘home invasion’. Participants in the illegal drug and organized crime scene commonly target each other with this type of violence. What is particularly disturbing is that this activity was occurring in an otherwise nice neighbourhood where it would be common to see children playing on the streets. However, behind closed doors there was serious criminal activity that attracted more criminal activity. Our bomb disposal experts were required to make this property safe and that type of treacherous activity has no place in Kamloops. This is a perfect illustration on why reporting suspicious activity in your community is vitally important to our collective safety.”

Charles Gerald Patrick, 62, is also charged and currently wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant.

He’s charged with possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing ammunition for the purposes of committing an offence, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

If you see Patrick or Cole do not approach them and call RCMP or 911. If you know the whereabouts of either, call RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.