Vernon officers are being credited for catching a fugitive wanted in Alberta.
Wesley Alfred Martel was arrested Aug. 3 by local RCMP on outstanding warrants from Banff, Alta.
“He was fairly well known to us here too,” said Gord Molendyk, Vernon RCMP spokesperson. “Between us and Kamloops he probably had about seven files.”
Martel was residing in the Vernon area, but frequently travelled between the area and Kamloops.
Martel was wanted in Banff for uttering threats, assault, theft, being unlawfully at large and causing a disturbance stemming from incidents in 2010.
He has an extensive criminal record dating back to 1989, therefore he surfaced as a candidate for the fugitive return program by the Kamloops RCMP Detachment.
“We were aware of these outstanding warrants and the warrants had been extended on Western Canada,” said Molendyk.
As a result, Vernon RCMP arrested Martel while he was checking in with the parole office in regards to some conditions.
He was detained and spent the August long weekend behind Vernon bars before being transported to Alberta to face prosecution on the outstanding charges.
“They wanted him back and he’s being dealt with there,” said Molendyk.
