Man arrested in sex-doll stunt

A 19-year-old North Vancouver man has been arrested for sending a blow-up doll airborne into Vancouver Harbour flight paths.

Just after 8 p.m. on July 3, West Vancouver police say one of their officers spotted two men on Ambleside Beach with 10 large helium balloons tethered to an adult-sized and adult-shaped inflatable.

After one of the men released the dirty dirigible, it floated several hundred metres into the air west of Lions Gate Bridge, prompting the police to report the incident to Transport Canada and the Civil Aviation Branch.

The officer believed the flying sex doll posed a hazard to seaplanes flying in and out of the harbour.

An immediate alert was issued for all aircraft in the area.

“The officer determined the balloon release was part of a video project,” said West Vancouver police Const. Jeff Palmer. “The pair was detained under the Aeronautics Act and a camera and cellphone being used to videotape the proceeding were seized.”

A YouTube personality who broadcasts as BrodieTV took credit for the stunt on Twitter.

The two men were released pending further investigation and their camera and cellphone were returned. A video card remains under seizure. One of the men, whose name was withheld, was arrested on Monday after turning himself in to West Vancouver police.

He was released pending a court appearance in September. Police are recommending to Crown counsel that he be charged with mischief.