Standoff suspect ID'd

UPDATE: 8:30 p.m.

A 40-year-old Kelowna man had his first court appearance on Tuesday after a violent series of crimes that ended in a five-hour police standoff inside a stranger’s home.

Stephen Earl Skinner faces multiple charges in connection to crimes committed at four locations on Monday.

Police were first called to a home for an alleged stabbing off Arab Road at 4:18 p.m. The suspect fled the scene, stole a vehicle and drove erratically down Highway 33.

He crashed into a fire hydrant, ran to a nearby home on Bryden Road, and barricaded himself inside.

Castanet has learned the 40-year-old Kelowna man faces numerous charges, including two counts of robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, break and enter with intent to commit and offence and commit an indictable offence. He also faces charges of dangerous operation of a conveyance, flight from an officer, mischief and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose all from Monday night.

Skinner's next court appearance is scheduled for June 25.

---

ORIGINAL: 5:10 p.m.

Residents say they were lucky to have not been home when an intruder held police at bay for hours during a tense standoff at their Kelowna home on Monday. 

A violent man tried to carjack at least three vehicles after he stabbed a person at a property off Arab Road and eventually barricaded himself in a home in Rutland.

The suspect successfully carjacked a woman’s vehicle and drove towards Highway 33, but crashed into a fire hydrant off Bryden Road, sending water into the air.

He then ran on foot, while being chased by police and hid inside a home.

“Why he picked this place, we don’t know,” says homeowner Leroy Kuhn.

The home was left trashed.

It was tear gassed by police, and almost every window has been shattered. Blood was smeared on a wall, insulation was ripped from the roof, couches destroyed and the carpet burned by tear gas canisters. 

“Looks like they helped themselves to some of the candy we had in the cupboard,” Kuhn added. 

He says he and his wife were stopped by police Monday night as they came home and were not allowed in.

“We’ve been in here for some 20 years. It's a godsend we weren't home,” he said. 

The family has insurance.

His neighbour, Alf Bannerman, was home during the incident and says it was like watching a movie. 

“You just don’t think it is going to happen in your community or on your street,” said Bannerman. 

After five hours two loud flash bangs were heard and minutes later a 40-year-old Kelowna man was escorted out of the home in handcuffs. 

On Tuesday, Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said police believe the suspect tried to carjack three other vehicles, and they are hoping to speak with one of the drivers. 

Police are asking two males who were driving a blue Honda Civic sedan on Arab Road just after 4:20 p.m. to contact them. 

The woman who had her vehicle carjacked and the man who was stabbed both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 

Kuhn says he and his wife have been staying with neighbours. 

RCMP are still investigating all four crime scenes and are asking anyone who has not spoken to police to call them immediately.