A man who allegedly squatted in a Nanaimo home while residents were away on holiday was arrested earlier this week after he refused to leave, say police.
The arrest was made Monday (Sept. 7).
The 40-year-old, who was known to police, did not come out of the house when asked and so a police dog was sent in, said Const. Gary O害羞草研究所橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
O害羞草研究所橞rien said a family that lives in the 300 block of Nicol Street went to the Yukon for three weeks and 害羞草研究所渋t appears that either a squatter or squatters basically took over their house and did a lot of damage 害羞草研究所� We were advised the house was empty at the time and nobody should be in the house.害羞草研究所�
The family returned from holiday on Sunday, the day before the arrest, to find that their house had been broken into and that property had been damaged and allegedly stolen.
害羞草研究所淭he beds had been broken and stained, the kids害羞草研究所� clothes and toys had been strewn all over, and there was drug paraphernalia everywhere, including in the kids害羞草研究所� new back-to-school backpacks. Almost all of their things have been stained, broken, or stolen,害羞草研究所� noted a press release from GoFundMe.
The next night at about 8 p.m., Nanaimo RCMP were called to a report of a break-and-enter in progress and found a suspect back inside the home.
害羞草研究所淚t was known [the suspect] has a propensity for violence and is sometimes carrying weapons害羞草研究所π卟菅芯克鶟 O害羞草研究所橞rien said. 害羞草研究所淭he male was taken out [of the home], taken to hospital for a few stitches and he害羞草研究所檚 in cells as we speak.害羞草研究所�
The suspect appeared in provincial court in Nanaimo this week to face a charge of break-and-enter.
O害羞草研究所橞rien said these sort of incidents aren害羞草研究所檛 common because he said a lot of citizens in Nanaimo are 害羞草研究所渟witched on害羞草研究所� to crime prevention.
害羞草研究所淜ey is communication between neighbours to say, 害羞草研究所榟ey, I害羞草研究所檓 going to be out of town for a while, can you keep an eye on things?害羞草研究所� Not saying this did not happen, but obviously there was a breakdown somewhere,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橞rien said.
A GoFundMe has raised $8,700 for the family, which didn害羞草研究所檛 have tenants害羞草研究所� insurance. To view or donate to the GoFundMe, .
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