Update: 5 p.m. Jan. 3
Police have now revealed why they surrounded a house in Sicamous on Jan. 2.
The heavy police presence on Kappel Street was the result of an unsuccessful attempt by the RCMP to locate a man named Michael Trosky who is wanted on multiple warrants, explained Cpl. Dan Moskaluk of the Southeast District.
On Jan. 2 the RCMP attempted to execute an arrest warrant for Trosky who was believed to be at the Kappel Street house, which was the focus of the police presence. Officers from Sicamous and Salmon Arm as well as members of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team (ERT) and other branches of the RCMP participated in the raid.
As officers were surveilling the residence they saw a man who they believed to be Trosky leaving the house in a car with a woman.
An ERT officer blocked the vehicle’s path with his truck while another police vehicle boxed it in. Both the vehicle police suspected Trosky was in and a police vehicle were damaged when they collided.
Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested and police found the man in the car was not Trosky; he was, however, charged with prohibited driving and later released with a court date. His vehicle was impounded for seven days under the Motor Vehicle Act due to the prohibited driving charge. The woman was released without charges.
Officers at the scene ordered the occupants of the residence to exit the building. A woman inside complied and ERT officers cleared the residence.
“Michael Trosky is wanted for three unendorsed warrants for charges including evading police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failing to comply, breach, theft of mail, theft under ($5,000). He is wanted by police jurisdictions including Salmon Arm and Dawson Creek detachments on warrants for two separate flight from police incidents,” stated Moskaluk.
“Given the flight risk that Trosky poses and the disregard for public safety that he has exhibited in previous arrest attempts, we consider that Trosky is a threat to the public. We ask that anyone with information about his current whereabouts contact their local police services and if Trosky is seen, we ask the public to immediately contact 911 and to not approach him.”
Trosky, 28, is described as an aboriginal man weighing 186 lbs and standing 6’2.” He has black hair and brown eyes.
Update: 2:58 p.m Jan. 2
Gary Keehn who lives in the house next door to the one which is the focus of the police presence said a tow truck is on scene beginning to remove the damaged vehicles.
Original Story:
Heavily-armed police officers have entered a house on Kappel Street in Sicamous and outside a police vehicle appears to have collided with a small tan sedan.
Gary Keehn who lives in the house next door to the one which is the focus of the police presence said he was alerted by the sound of a car crash at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 2. When he looked outside he saw the tan car and a large grey police SUV which looked like they had crashed into each other.
Keehn said shortly after 2 p.m. that at least five police vehicles were on scene at the Kappel Street house and from inside his house he saw eight or more officers, some of whom were dressed in tactical gear and armed with rifles. Keehn said he observed officers entering the house with their weapons drawn at 2:20 p.m.
Kappel Street is closed to vehicle traffic and Keehn said some of his neighbours have been told to remain indoors but he was assured by an officer that the public is not in danger.
Keehn said the house next door is a rental property and he has had little contact with the tenants since they moved in less than eight months ago.
Calls to the RCMP made by the Eagle Valley News requesting more information on the incident have not been returned yet.
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