UPDATED: RCMP arrest suspect who sparked manhunt in Beaverdell area
By Boundary Sentinel
Kelowna RCMP said the suspect who sparked a multi detachment man hunt Tuesday afternoon, and prompted a warning to the public to avoid picking up hitch hikers is now in police custody and faces potential charges.
Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey spokesperson for the Kelowna Regional RCMP said in a media release, just prior to 12 noon Tuesday (June 27), Kelowna Rural RCMP responded to a report of a domestic assault which had allegedly transpired inside a home in the Big White area of Kelowna BC. While responding to the Big White area, RCMP officers spotted and made an initial attempt to conduct a traffic stop with the suspect’s vehicle.
O’Donaghey said the suspect failed to stop and fled from police.
RCMP said support was sought from Southeast District RCMP Air Services out of Kelowna, who later located the suspect vehicle abandoned along a Forestry Service Road. Several RCMP officers from multiple jurisdictions, which included Kelowna, Midway and Penticton responded to the area, along with RCMP Police Dog Services from the South Okanagan.
RCMP eventually called off their search for the man, they described as extremely motivated to avoid capture and obviously familiar with the back country, despite their extensive search efforts to locate him from both land and air.
“Thanks to valuable tips from vigilant members of the general public, officers returned to the area of Highway 33 earlier this morning in search of a hitch hiker matching our suspect’s description,” said O’Donaghey.
“The suspect was located by police along highway 33, between Westbridge and Rock Creek. He was taken into police custody, shortly before 8:30 am Wednesday morning, without further incident.”
The suspect, a 27-year-old Kelowna man, faces potential criminal charges. He has since been returned to Kelowna, where he is expected to appear in Court.
RCMP conducts manhunt in Beaverdell area
Midway RCMP are asking the public to be vigilant in not dealing with any strangers as police search for a 27-year-old man in the area of Beaverdell.
In a media release late Tuesday, RCMP said they are “actively looking for a male approximately 27 years old 6’3″ 221 pounds with heavy stubble wearing heavy black pants and work boots.”
The release gave little information as to why police are searching for the man. Instead, RCMP advised the public not to pick up any hitchhikers in the area of Beaverdell, Highway 33, Beaver Creek Road and Christian Valley Road.
“If you see someone that matches this description please call 9-1-1, do not approach.”
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