False alarm

The Fort St. John RCMP received a call at about 2: 16 p.m. on July 18, 2025 for a possible robbery at a motel located near 99A Avenue and 100th Street.

The report described a female victim and three male suspects who were all in possession of handguns according to the release.

Responding units from various RCMP divisions frontline officers, plainclothes officers, Municipal Traffic and BC Highway Patrol were immediately dispatched to the scene.

After their arrival the RCMP began to give loud, clear commands to the suspected motel room where the three men were located.

Because of the information received about the presence of guns, police used various tactical equipment and levels of force as part of their response.

Three males came out of the building after the callouts and were arrested by police without resistance.

Investigation determined that a robbery did not occur, and the initial complaint was secondhand information that was greatly exaggerated.

“The public would have noticed a significant police presence with guns drawn as part of the response to the initial report,” said Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St. John RCMP.  “Police have to respond according to the report received but once all information is gathered, can also change course, as in this investigation.”

The three males who had been arrested, were released at the scene while police cleared the area.