Skip to content

UPDATE: Williams Lake RCMP suspend search overnight for suspect on the run

Public asked to keep eye out for suspicous activity

UPDATE: 1:00 p.m.

Williams Lake RCMP are cautioning residents to be aware of their surroundings Wednesday, June 3, and call in any suspicious activity as the suspect remains at large.

Please see full update here

UPDATE: 7:30 a.m.

RCMP did not get their man overnight.

The search for a suspect, considered by police to be armed and dangerous, was suspended overnight but the investigation continues Wednesday.

The man is accused of ramming a police car at about 2 p.m. Tuesday before fleeing on foot just west of the city. He is still at large, confirmed Staff Sgt. Del Byron Wednesday morning.

The areas of Highway 20 and Buckley Drive, as well as along the transmission power line right of way along Hodgson Road on the west side of the city were the focus of heavy police presence Tuesday night as they hoped to capture the suspect coming out of the forest.

Officers stopped motorists on Highway 20 Tuesday evening, checking vehicles and showing a picture of the suspect to those in the area. Law enforcement vehicles could be seen stationed at several points close to the forest under the power lines.

RCMP used a helicopter as well as the Police Dog Services to search for the suspect. The evening was cold with heavy rain at times.

The suspect is described as five foot eleven inches tall with blue eyes and a scruffy beard.

Residents are asked to call police if they see anything suspicious.

UPDATE: 7:20 p.m.

Staff Sgt. Del Byron said the investigation continues just west of Williams Lake Tuesday evening where police are searching the wooded area for a suspect accused of colliding with a police vehicle earlier in the day before fleeing on foot.

Members of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, Conservation Officer Service, police helicopter services as well as Williams Lake and Alexis Creek RCMP detachment members are all part of the response by police.

Byron said residents in the immediate area of Highway 20 and Buckley Drive are asked to remain indoors, and call police immediately if they have any information to assist in the search.

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.

The search continues for a suspect on the run from police in the Williams Lake area Tuesday afternoon.

A RCMP helicopter could be seen and heard flying back and forth over the forested and residential areas near Buckley Drive, Highway 20 and the power lines that run parallel to Hodgson Road just west of Williams Lake at 5 p.m.

RCMP vehicles are also patrolling the area by ground, searching for a suspect they say may be armed and dangerous.

The suspect is described as five foot eleven inches tall with blue eyes and a scruffy beard.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Williams Lake RCMP is asking the public to stay away from Highway 20 and Buckley Drive as a police situation is unfolding Tuesday afternoon.

Staff Sgt. Del Byron said the public is asked to report any suspicious activity just west of the city as they look for a male who could be armed and dangerous.

Byron is asking residents to stay in their homes for now.

The suspect is described as five foot eleven inches tall with blue eyes and a scruffy beard.

An RCMP helicopter is being employed in the search.

The Police Dog Services is en route.

Police are door knocking at residences on Buckley Drive, which is located between Chilcotin Estates Mobile Home Park and Chimney Valley Road about 12 minutes from Williams Lake.

More to come.

Read More: RCMP, coroner investigate murder-suicide on Salt Spring Island



Do you have a comment about this story? email:
editor@wltribune.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Angie Mindus

About the Author: Angie Mindus

A desire to travel led me to a full-time photographer position at the Williams Lake Tribune in B.C.’s interior.
Read more