Family pet helps police locate suspect hiding in tree after 100 Mile House kidnapping, police say

Photo: Castanet Staff

An alleged kidnapper is behind bars in 100 Mile House thanks to the help of a family pet.

Just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, 100 Mile House RCMP got a report of a kidnapping with a firearm in the Merkley Crescent area.

The report said a 23-year-old woman was taken from a home by a 28-year-old man who pointed a gun at her.

The suspect is then alleged to have taken the woman south toward Cache Creek along Highway 97.

Police said the event was not reported to Mounties until after the victim had been left in the Cache Creek area.

The woman was located safe and gave a statement to Ashcroft RCMP.

According to police, further threats were made toward another woman and a child who live in the 100 Mile House area. Police said the woman and child were taken to a local detachment for their safety.

Police searching the Merkley Crescent property said they noticed a pet dog hanging out by a tree outside. Mounties said the suspect was then spotted halfway up the 100-foot fir tree.

According to police, the suspect exited the tree and was arrested without incident. Investigators are still searching for the firearm alleged to have been involved.

100 Mile House RCMP said this was an isolated event and there is no further risk to the public.

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to to call the 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.