A heavily armed tactical team moves in on the suspect in a home in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue West. (Robb Rydde photo)

A heavily armed tactical team moves in on the suspect in a home in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue West. (Robb Rydde photo)

47-year-old man arrested after nine-hour police standoff

Prince Rupert RCMP used specialized tactics to apprehend the man wanted for assault with a weapon

A police standoff in Prince Rupert — lasting approximately nine hours — ended with a 47-year-old male being forced from the residence he was barricading himself in.

“With the assistance of additional resources, specialized tactics were utilized and at 12:51 p.m. the 47-yer-old male exited the residence and was safely taken to police custody,” said Staff Sgt. Dave Uppal.

The suspect was uninjured. Uppal said the incident is still under investigation, and charges will be made later.

The initial call to police at approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, was for assault with a weapon in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue West.

The man who made the call said he was attacked inside the apartment. Karl Heinz Roman Reschke was sent to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital and was later released released with three staples on the top of his head.

He said he wants to press charges after the suspect hit him in the head with a hatchet. Police say a woman was at the scene when the assault took place.

“The man went ballistic,” Reschke said. He then described what happened to Black Press. A distraught woman had knocked on his door in the early morning, and a man followed and started attacking him.

Karl Heinz Roman Reschke said he was attacked with a hatchet over his head.(Kelly Little photo)

 

After fending off the attack Reschke said he called 911, and police were at the scene all morning. Two neighbouring residences were evacuated for precautionary measures. Members of the emergency response team arrived at approximately 9:30 a.m. to assist in apprehending the man.

“There’s an individual inside that’s arrestable and is wanted for a serious incident that is still under investigation,” said Inspector Blake Ward at 8:35 a.m.

Seven Prince Rupert RCMP cars had blocked off a section of Fifth Avenue West and Sixth Avenue West as a precautionary measure.

Staff Sgt. Dave Uppal said they would like to thank the public for their cooperation and understanding during this incident.

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