Brent Richter/Staff Writer
Two Sechelt men are facing a host of charges after a bloody assault last Thursday night.
According to Sunshine Coast RCMP, on March 19, a man walked in to St. Mary's Hospital, bleeding, and then collapsed. The man said he had been stabbed and beaten.
Police said the victim was in a house in the Selma Park area with the two accused when a fight broke out. The two men allegedly beat the victim, cut him with a switchblade and pistol-whipped him with an imitation hand gun. They forced the victim to drive them into Sechelt where he was then able to get away and seek medical attention, police said.
The victim was treated for injuries including stitches to cuts on his hands and released, according to Sgt. Stuart Falebrinza.
RCMP could not say what caused the fight to break out.
Harley Joe and Trevor Joe, both of Sechelt, have been charged with assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement, possession of a prohibited weapon and a number of charges related to the imitation gun. Harley Joe is also charged with breaching bail conditions and drug charges after officers found him allegedly possessing cocaine and marijuana.
Both suspects appeared in Sechelt provincial court this week. Harley Joe remains in custody while Trevor Joe has been released on bail with a number of conditions, including keeping 50 metres away from the victim and having no contact with him.
Both suspects are due in court for a preliminary hearing April 17. Their trial will take place at B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.
RCMP officers were able to apprehend Harley Joe Thursday night at the home where the assault occurred after interviewing the victim and collecting evidence.
The investigation hit a snag on Friday morning, however, when two RCMP officers nearly arrested the wrong man in a case of mistaken identity while looking for Trevor Joe.
Police arrived at a four-building complex with a single address in Sechelt looking for Trevor Joe, but instead knocked on the door of his neighbour, Trevor Weatherhead.
The officers asked for Weatherhead's first name and told him he was under arrest. The discussion became heated as Weatherhead attempted to tell the officers they were arresting the wrong Trevor. According to Weatherhead, one of the officers then threatened to charge him with disturbing the peace.
This is the second time since last year Weatherhead has had RCMP officers come to his door looking to arrest him in a case of mistaken identity. Weatherhead said the confrontation left him feeling "humiliated and anxious."
Falebrinza has since personally apologized to Weatherhead and taken precautions to insure the same mistake will not happen again. Falebrinza said they have updated the RCMP's address database and asked Weatherhead and other property owners in the complex to place letters on their doors to avoid future confusion. Falebrinza said the detachment takes the incident seriously and are going to review the incident with the officers involved.
He added the officers did not know what Trevor Joe looked like, but were approaching the situation with great caution.
"When you look at the offences and weapons involved, you are kind of on your guard and you don't have a long time to talk," he said. "The good news is the two bad guys are in jail."
Weatherhead said he appreciated the apology, but will wait to see how Sunshine Coast RCMP deal with the officer who threatened him with arrest before deciding to file a formal complaint with the RCMP complaints commission or pursuing other legal avenues.
Weatherhead said if he chooses to pursue legal action, it will be on principle and to help protect others from similar difficulties.
"Regardless if you are black, white, pink or green, you deserve a lot more respect from people who purport to represent you, legally," he said. "I'm concerned about everyone in the community, because it could happen to any one of us."
