What Was He Thinking/Smoking??

 RCMP Arrest Man After Bizarre Stand-Off

Nanaimo RCMP have arrested a man after he displayed bizarre and dangerous behavior Wednesday afternoon.

RCMP responded to the complaint of a male on a roof on Bythe Avenue who refused to come down when asked by the home owner. The male, Sheldon Hunter, 23, appeared to be having a mental breakdown and a police negotiator was bought in. During the course of the standoff Hunter shot off flares representing a officer safety issue and fire risk due to the dry conditions in the area prompting a request for the Nanaimo Fire Department to attend the scene. When RCMP and Fire Department personnel attempted to access the roof, Hunter grabbed a saw and threatened the rescue workers with it.

During the negotiation Hunter jumped from the roof onto live hydro cables. BC Hydro was contacted and the power was cut off at another source, which caused damage to the other power lines in the area. Hunter then jumped down onto the top of police car and refused to come down resulting in a struggle with attending officers. Hunter was taken into custody approximately four hours after RCMP originally attended the scene. In custody he was assessed by the Nanaimo Crisis Team and it was determined the male had smoked drugs prompting his behavior.

Hunter has been charged with: Mischief; Obstruction of a Peace Officer; and Possession of a weapon dangerous to the Public.He has been remanded into custody until August 17.

“This was definitely a bizarre situation where the actions of one individual put himself and attending personnel at risk,” says Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong. “The Nanaimo RCMP are very appreciative of the assistance rendered by BC Hydro, Nanaimo Fire Department, EHS as well as the Nanaimo Crisis Response Team to bring this to a safe conclusion.”