“Turn yourself in to police”
Police in the South Okanagan have issued a direct appeal to high-profile criminal Andrew Robert Hardenstine to turn himself in.
“Mr. Hardenstine, for the safety of yourself, the public and police, we are asking you to turn yourself in to the police so that your matters before the courts can be dealt with accordingly,” said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Jason Bayda in a press release.
Hardenstine, 44, has been on the run since Feb. 21, when police raided a motorhome parked at a property on 100th Avenue in Osoyoos where he was thought to have been staying.
Andrew Hardenstine is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, call 911.
Officers were there to arrest him on outstanding charges ranging from drug trafficking to flight from police.
“An extensive and thorough search of the entire property including the recreational vehicle, outbuildings and the main residence were searched,” said Bayda.
“Police located and seized a considerable amount of illicit drugs and a loaded firearm, however the search was not successful in locating Hardenstine. We are confident the landowner or residents of the main residence were not party to any offence.
“Hardenstine is known to possess weapons and is considered armed and dangerous. If you see or know of Hardenstine’s whereabouts, please call 911 and do not approach him.”
Hardenstine is described as a Caucasian male, five-foot-nine, 170 pounds, with short brown hair and numerous tattoos.
His criminal record dates back to at least 2001 and contains dozens of convictions for weapons, drugs and violent offences.
Hardenstine’s most recent entry – aside from the events Feb. 21 in Osoyoos – alleges two counts of drug trafficking and a single count of resisting arrest, stemming from a March 2023 incident in Penticton.
An arrest warrant was issued Nov. 1 when Hardenstine was a no-show at his first scheduled appearance.