A man with an extensive criminal record has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a home in Nelson.
Police say around 7:30 p.m. Friday, they received a 911 call from a couple who reported an intruder in their home. Officers arrived within minutes and arrested the suspect, who was attempting to flee.
The arresting officer suffered minor injuries while trying to take the man into custody.
Robert Ryan, 46, of no fixed address is charged with break and enter with intent, threatening a police officer, and robbery.
Police say he has 23 convictions for robbery, assault, and theft, mainly in the Lower Mainland.
Investigators believe he entered the home randomly, looking for valuables.
He’s being held in custody over the weekend and will be in court Monday.
“The Nelson police would like to commend the family for remaining calm and patient during a stressful incident,” said Acting Sgt. Dino Falcone. “The family was understandably shaken up and thankfully were not physically injured.”
Missing youth found
Nelson police have found a 15-year-old Calgary boy reported missing last week, but he’s in a heap of trouble.
They say his “distraught” father contacted them just after midnight Wednesday. He believed his son and a friend were in Nelson, and said his son stole over $5,000 in cash from his safe as well as expensive watches, jewelry, and clothing.
At 8:30 a.m. officers found the boy and a friend who hadn’t been reported missing in a Nelson home. They were taken into custody while officers talked to their Calgary counterparts and the Minstry of Children and Families. A 17-year-old boy was also taken into custody.
Police say the trio had cash and merchandise on them. Their parents were notified, and they were sent back to Calgary, where they may face several charges.
Charges pending in crash
A 40-year-old woman had to be extricated using the jaws of life after a multi-vehicle crash at Government Road and Granite Road around 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Police say it appears a 17-year-old driver was trying to cross the busy highway and was hit by a west-bound truck, which inadvertently struck another vehicle waiting to turn left on the highway in the opposite direction.
A woman who was trapped was later taken to Kootenay Lake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say two out of three vehicles involved sustained a “considerable” amount of damage.
Charges are pending against the 17-year-old from Blewett.
Scooter thief nabbed
A 32-year-old Nelson man was arrested Friday morning after a report of a stolen scooter.
They say “alert citizens” spotted a man and woman pushing a scooter in the Lakeside Park parking lot, and police responded. The suspect is charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 and will be in court October 23.
Young driver’s car towed
Just after midnight Friday, police say they observed a suspicious vehicle in the Cottonwood Park parking lot. When they approached, a young man fled from the front passenger seat.
They couldn’t find him, but the 18-year-old driver was given a 24-hour prohibition for being impaired by drugs. The New Denver resident also had his vehicle impounded.
Angry barfly arrested
Police were called to a local bar at 2:15 a.m. Saturday to deal with a man refusing to leave.
On their arrival, he ran, but they found him a few blocks away, very drunk and agitated.
The 31-year-old Kelowna man was charged with failing to comply with his recognizance, which included a strict curfew and staying away from alcohol. He was held overnight and released on a promise to appear in court in October.
