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Firearms Seized, Suspect Arrested

Suspect arrested after standoff in a North Okanagan creek

May 7, 2025 | 11:32 AM

Police arrested an individual after a standoff in a creek in the Okanagan Indian Band reserve.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded to a report of a temporary camp in a wooded area near Westside Rd. and Bonneau Rd. around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 6.

On arriving at the camp, officers located two firearms that were in plain view, and were secured and seized by police.

An adult man then arrived at the camp, spotted the Mounties, then fled on foot. After a brief chase he went into a creek, where he perched himself on a log in the middle of the fast moving water to avoid capture.

A critical response was initiated and members of the RCMP Southeast District Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, and a crisis negotiator were called to the scene.

Police contained the area and eventually persuaded the man to surrender peacefully.

The 35-year-old man remained in custody pending a court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

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