The man charged in last week’s alleged carjacking near Creston that led to a police shooting in Cranbrook will remain in custody until at least November 5, 2012.
Nicholas John Bullock, 26, appeared in Cranbrook Provincial Court on Tuesday, October 9, facing charges of assault with a weapon, robbery, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of stolen property, and possession of a weapon with a dangerous purpose.
Heavily tattooed, Bullock seemed attentive but jittery during the court proceedings.
Judge G. Brown remanded Bullock in custody until his next court appearance on November 5 in Cranbrook, though Bullock is expected to appear via video conference.
The visiting judge also placed an order that Bullock not have any contact with the 17-year-old girl who is his co-accused in last week’s incidents near Creston and in Cranbrook.
The girl, who like Bullock is from Port Coquitlam, was released Tuesday into her mother’s custody.
Judge Brown placed the girl, who cannot be named because she is under 18, on house arrest at her mother’s home in Port Coquitlam. The girl must stay at home unless she is at school or with an adult approved by her youth worker. Her next court appearance is also November 5.
The girl entered the court room with her hands over her mouth and looked at her family in the gallery. She acknowledged the conditions for her release.
RCMP said that Bullock was charged after a Creston man stopped to pick up two hitchhikers between Creston and Yahk last Tuesday evening, October 2. Shortly after picking up the pair, the male hitchhiker allegedly assaulted the driver of the vehicle and stole the car.
Later the same night, RCMP in Cranbrook spotted the allegedly stolen vehicle and attempted to stop it. However, the driver did not stop and an RCMP officer pursued the vehicle.
The chase ended in an encounter on the outskirts of Cranbrook, where RCMP said the officer discharged his weapon, injuring the suspect.
The girl in the vehicle was not injured; neither was the RCMP officer. Bullock has now been released from hospital.
B.C.’s civilian police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, is conducting an investigation into the shooting.
