RCMP nab arson suspect after early morning house fire in Lake Country

Local RCMP have arrested a man they allege to be responsible for a string of early morning crimes in Lake Country.

Just moments after 7 a.m. this morning, emergency crews in Lake Country responded to a report of an arson just committed to a home located in the 2500 block of Robinson Road.

Police learned that a male suspect, believed to have intentionally set the blaze, was being chased from the scene by a resident of the home.

The Lake Country Fire Department attended and successfully extinguished the house fire.

Police believe that their arson suspect, who was last seen fleeing into an area orchard, then stole a pickup truck, which was later crashed on Lake Hill Road in the Lakes subdivision. Once again, the suspect fled from the scene on foot.

“Just minutes before 9 a.m., Mounties honed in their search to the 13000 block of East Ridge Drive, after they received multiple reports of a suspicious male, matching their suspect’s description and seen hopping over fences by area residents,” states RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the Kelowna Regional Detachment. “With the support of the Kelowna RCMP, members of the Lake Country RCMP managed to locate and apprehend the male, without further incident and before he entered into a wooded area.”

The RCMP say they are continuing their efforts to positively identify the suspect, who remains in police custody at this time and faces several potential charges.

“All criminal investigations are continuing, as the Lake Country RCMP continue to make efforts to gather evidence to link the crimes,” adds Cpl. O’Donaghey.

Anyone in the area who may have been victimized in anyway, whether they may have been threatened by the male, or sustained any property damages and has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact the Lake Country RCMP Detachment at 250-766-2288.