Suspect Rescued In Middle of River

By Corey Fischer

Dec 20, 2018 | 3:50 PM

A suspect in a break and enter in Enderby ended up trapped on a sandbar in the Shuswap River, and had to be rescued by police.

RCMP responded to a break and enter that occurred on Helmcken Road in Enderby Dec. 14th, where numerous items were stolen, including a firearm.

Witnesses said a white Jeep Cherokee was seen in the area just prior to the break and enter.

About 3 hours later, a civilian witness told Mounties, the suspect vehicle had been spotted on Back Enderby Road near Graham Road.

RCMP officers went to the area and found the suspect vehicle in a ditch unoccupied.

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“Given the circumstances of the break and enter that occurred earlier in the day and the still outstanding firearm, officers quickly evacuated the area and set up a containment for public and police officer safety,” says Cst. Kelly Brett.

A Police Service Dog team tracked a male suspect to where he had stranded himself on a sandbar in the middle of the Shuswap River, and an RCMP vessel was brought in to resuce him and take him into custody without incident.

The police dog team later tracked a female suspect to an address on Graham Road where she was arrested.

“This is a situation that could have had a tragic outcome for either the suspects or any member of the public; however, the diligence of all officers involved in this incident led to both suspects being apprehended without incident and the recovery of a stolen firearm,” says Brett.

39 year old Justin Dionne of Kelowna faces numerous charges including; possession of an unregistered restriction weapon, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime and failing to comply with probation orders.

24 year old Alexis Romanuik of Enderby faces charges for failing to comply with conditions.

by Corey Fischer