Four hours into 2014 and Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP officers were dealing with an assault case.
Shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a report of a domestic assault and threats in the area of Dunwaters Road on the west side of Okanagan Lake.
“Just prior to the police arrival, a male suspect had poured gasoline in a portion of the home and threatened to set it on fire,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
“He then took off in the family car.”
A pursuit was initiated and then called off for safety reasons.
Officers set up a spike belt in the area of Highway 97 and Old Kamloops Road which was successful in flattening several tires on the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect, however, continued towards Vernon where officers again terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.
“At one point on 32nd Street, the suspect made contact (with the vehicle) with one of the police vehicles and again took off,” said Molendyk.
A short time later, the man was spotted near Polson Park. After a brief foot chase, the suspect was arrested.
A 56-year-old Vernon man was slated to appear in court Thursday to answer charges of assault, uttering threats, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer and attempted arson.
