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UPDATE: Man in custody after brief standoff in Agassiz

RCMP arrest suspect after gaining access to second floor downtown apartment
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A man was arrested on Thursday at lunch after an Agassiz restaurant reported a theft from their business. Someone from the restaurant followed a suspect to a Pioneer Avenue apartment

One Agassiz man remains in custody this week following a midday robbery last Thursday.

Three RCMP members surrounded an apartment building on Pioneer Avenue at around 12:30 p.m. calling for the man to leave the building.

"We saw you go in there," a police officer yelled from the street.

At one point, a plain-clothed officer climbed on top of Lordco, the neighbouring building, to look through the side window of the man's apartment suite.

At that time, the officer drew a gun momentarily then returned it to his holster.

Shortly after, the three officers on scene gained entry into the building.

After about 10 minutes of searching the apartment, police realized he had left out a rear window. They then entered the neighbouring apartment through an open window, where they found the suspect.

Shouting could be heard in the street for the man to get to the ground. He was handcuffed and put into a waiting police vehicle shortly after.

Sgt. Stuart Falebrinza said the standoff followed a robber at the Park Avenue Restaurant, less than a block away.

A local man who is known to the owner of the restaurant allegedly entered the restaurant, stole $20 and ran out the door.

The restaurant owner and a group of construction workers chased the suspect to the nearby apartment building. When police arrived on scene, they saw the man in his apartment window.

"Yet another example of how the community can be the greatest asset to the police," says Corporal Tammy Hollingsworth. "Knowing your neighbours, great team work, and instinctive, old-fashioned police work led to a successful conclusion."

Randy Lander, 48 of Agassiz, has been charged with theft under and forcible entry. He remains in custody until his next court appearance on Oct. 16,

news@ahobserver.com

 

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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