Coast Guard members helped Sunshine Coast RCMP apprehend a Sechelt man early Thursday morning after an incident near Snickett Park.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on June 30, RCMP attended Snickett Park to break up a group who were causing a disturbance.
"Upon arriving, two males were observed walking away from the group. After dispersing the group, police located one of the males standing on the rocks edging the ocean," said Cpl. Steve Chubey. "When police approached the male, he ran from police, slipped and fell into the ocean, then began to swim away from police."
Chubey said officers recognized the male as a known offender on probation and bound by several conditions, including "not to consume alcohol."
"Despite several pleas from police for the suspect to come ashore, he refused to do so prompting the RCMP to call the Coast Guard to assist," added Chubey. "After approximately 70 minutes in the water, the Coast Guard arrived with the hovercraft, prompting the intoxicated suspect to swim to shore, where he was immediately arrested by police and attended to by paramedics for hypothermia-like symptoms. "This young man's irrational and drunken behaviour put his own life and the lives of others at serious risk. We'd like to thank the Coast Guard for their quick response and for their assistance".
A 23-year-old man is currently in-custody and has been charged with obstructing police and breach of probation. His name has not been released pending his first appearance in Sechelt provincial court.
-Submitted
