Photo: Contributed

Police presence at a townhome complex on Maple Street in Penticton Thursday.

Major police presence suddenly descended on Maple Street in Penticton Thursday afternoon.

Cops in tactical gear in multiple vehicles swarmed a townhouse complex on the street according to multiple witnesses, including one who spoke to Castanet and shared photos and videos.

Alix was sitting on her porch nearby when police arrived shortly before 4 p.m.

"I heard a cop say 'It's about to get really loud,' and then I saw them plug their ears," Alix said, before hearing loud noises.

"They must have smashed the door down," she added, explaining she saw a police officer with what may have been some sort of battering ram.

"My friend was sitting outside in her car trying to come over but they wouldn't let anybody even walk in or out ... they told my friend they were executing a search warrant and to come back later."

Alix said she also heard what she thought may be flash bangs go off, and saw "multiple people" arrested. RCMP have confirmed no details at this time.

School District 67 Superintendent Todd Manuel said that there was no hold and secure procedure, or lockdown procedure, at the elementary nearby to the incident, Queen’s Park school today.

"If there is a hold and secure or lockdown protocol at any one of our schools, school administration will communicate with parents and guardians as soon as possible to inform them of the situation," he said over email.

Castanet has reached out to the police and will update when more information is available.