The man who was arrested twice in three days in relation to an arson and threatening voicemails that resulted in a lock-down of City Hall is undergoing a psychiatric remand.
Michael Edward Hibbert, 39, is charged with arson in relation to an inhabited property, arson damaging his own property and uttering threats to commit an offence.
Hibbert appeared at a bail hearing on Nov. 6 and put over to Nov. 9 where he consented to a 30-day psychiatric remand.
Police responded to City Hall on Nov. 4 following complaints of a threat received from a local resident who had their power shut off by a city employee earlier that day.
After arriving at Hibbert’s residence on Nov. 4, police reported that he answered the door with two hunting knives in his hand. The situation quickly deescalated and police said Hibbert was co-operative in his arrest. Hibbert was released from cells on Nov. 5 after being taken to the Penticton Regional Hospital for a psychiatric assessment.
Hibbert was arrested once again the next day, Nov. 6, following a garage fire on South Main Street that occurred just before 6 a.m.
The fire is under investigation and the RCMP are in the process of interviewing witnesses and working in conjunction with the Penticton Fire Department.
