A violent offender wanted in various jurisdictions across the Lower Mainland was arrested by officers with the Nanaimo RCMP Bike Patrol Unit. The arrest occurred at approximately 11:30 AM on Thursday August 25, 2022, in the downtown core of Nanaimo.
The officers, while patrolling on their bikes, noticed an individual consuming alcohol in public. Consuming alcohol in public is in itself not a major offence but it certainly provides grounds for police to find out who the person is and ascertain if they are wanted or breaching any current conditions. As it turns out, this is exactly what happened
, said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
After pouring out his booze, the officers asked the man to identify himself. He tried to produce a false name to the officers who weren’t buying it. This only piqued their interest further. So, after a quick check of his belongings, his real identification was found and this name was checked against police databases. Sure enough it revealed that the 34-year man of no fixed address was currently wanted on seven outstanding warrants issued in the Vancouver area, for offences which include Assaulting a Police Officer, Assault with a Weapon, Assault and Uttering Threats.
The individual was promptly arrested and is currently in police custody awaiting transport back to Vancouver. This is one more criminal who has been removed from our community simply due to the efforts of good old fashioned proactive police patrols
, said O’Brien.