Vernon officers threatened with knife during 5 hour standoff

VERNON, B.C. – Vernon police officers were threatened with a knife and had objects thrown at them while responding to a report of a man destroying the basement of a residence at 3901 21 Avenue.

Vernon RCMP Spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the call came in around 10:15 p.m. on Monday. One of the officers responded and spoke to a woman outside as well as two other people exiting the basement area. The officer was told the suspect was destroying the basement.

He says the officer proceeded to the stairs leading to the basement and discovered a hallway littered with broken furniture. He adds the suspect would not allow police access to the basement rooms.

“During this ordeal the suspect could be seen breaking chairs, and furniture, and punching several holes through walls,” says Molendyk. “Negotiations were set up in attempts to defuse the situation as the suspect was in possession of two different knives.”

The suspect eventually gave up and threw two knives out through a hole he had punched in a wall, says Molendyk. The 33-year-old man was taken into police custody early this morning and was later taken to hospital for treatment. Police have requested a mental health assessment.

Charges of uttering threats, two counts of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief over $5,000 are being recommended by RCMP.

Molendyk says luckily no one was injured during the five hour ordeal.