Suspect in custody after alleged armed break and enter

On Sunday, June 15, at about 4: 49 a.m. RCMP received a report of a break and enter. The report stated a male had broken into the residence of someone he knew, hit the resident’s vehicle and then fled on foot.

It was also reported that the male may have been armed with a firearm, but no shots were fired. The individual was seen driving away, before fleeing on foot when police attempted to conduct a traffic stop. 

For public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicle and were able to locate the vehicle which had been abandoned and crashed in a ditch on Highway 52.

The suspect was not in the vehicle and a drone was used to ensure the individual was not located in or around the vehicle. Police received information that the suspect had threatened self-harm and was in possession of a firearm, although no shots were fired during the incident according to the release. 

North District Emergency Response Team (ND ERT) and M Division ERT were activated and deployed to Dawson Creek.

BC Highway Patrol was also requested to assist, providing drone support and Air 3 was called in to assist in locating the potentially armed suspect.

Police were able to isolate a general area of where the suspect was believed to be located.

Police Dog Services (PDS) and members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) located and arrested the suspect without further incident at about 4: 20 p.m. near the 17000 block of 211 Road. 

No firearm was located at the time of arrest and the male is in police custody. Highway 52 was closed for most of the day. It was reopened around 4:30 p.m. The closure had briefly delayed BC Wildfire Service crews responding to the Kelly Lake Fire. 

The crews were immediately notified when the highway was opened and continued their response to Kelly Lake.