Mounties rescue suspect from river

Kelowna man became stranded on sandbar in Shuswap River

A Kelowna man facing charges following the theft of a firearm had to be rescued by police when he found himself stranded on a sandbar in the Shuswap River prior to his arrest.

North Okanagan RCMP responded to a report of a break-in on Helmcken Road in Enderby just before 3 p.m. last Friday. Numerous items were stolen, including a firearm.

Witnesses reported seeing a white Jeep Cherokee in the area just before the theft.

At 6 p.m. that day, police received further information from a witness saying the suspect vehicle had been spotted on Back Enderby Road near Graham Road.

Officers located the unoccupied vehicle in a ditch.

“Given the circumstances of the break and enter that occurred earlier in the day and the still-outstanding firearm, officers quickly evacuated the area and set up a containment for public and police officer safety,” said Const. Kelly Brett.

Shortly after, a police dog tracked a male suspect to a sandbar, where he was stranded in the middle of the Shuswap River.

The RCMP emergency response team attended the scene and used an RCMP vessel to rescue the male, who was then taken into custody.

The police dog then tracked a female suspect to an address on Graham Road, where she was arrested.

“This is a situation that could have had a tragic outcome for either the suspects or any member of the public,” said Brett. “However, the diligence of all officers involved in this incident led to both suspects being apprehended without incident, and the recovery of a stolen firearm.”

Justin Dionne, 39, of Kelowna is facing numerous charges including possession of an unregistered restricted weapon, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime and failing to comply with probation orders.

Alexis Romaniuk, a 24-year-old Enderby woman, is facing charges for failing to comply with conditions.