Skip to content

RCMP K9 unit nabs fleeing suspect

Search at Little Qualicum River Falls Park takes hours
web1_170405-PQN-M-RCMP-logo-car

A bit of dogged determination by the RCMP K9 unit helped with the capture of a wanted man who fled into the woods at Little Qualicum Falls Park last Friday.

Shortly after noon on On March 31, Oceanside RCMP received a report of a man acting suspiciously and lying on the ground in the parking pot at Little Qualicum Falls Park. An RCMP member was dispatched to the scene to determine if the man was all right. When the male was queried on police computer, the police were alerted to the fact that the 45-year-old man, had two outstanding arrest warrants out of Nanaimo RCMP Detachment.

The suspect is of no fixed abode, but is known to frequent the Nanaimo and Parksville Qualicum Beach area.

The officer advised Lyster that he was under arrest, at which point Lyster fled on foot into the woods, RCMP said in a news release. A police dog master was called to the scene and began to track into the woods. The search lasted a couple of hours and covered significant terrain. Unfortunately, the man was not located in the extensive search.

At 5:15 p.m., the dog master was on the Alberni Highway when he spotted the man hitchhiking at the Highway 4A intersection. The dog master pulled over and advised the man he was under arrest, police reported. The suspect again ran, but was apprehended quickly and taken into police custody.

“Having PDS (Police Dog Services) able to help us out with investigations is invaluable,” said Cpl. Jesse Foreman, RCMP spokesperson. “They not only track suspects, but are able to help with missing people and article searches.”

On Monday, the suspect attended Nanaimo Provincial Court and is being held in custody for his next court appearance on April 11.

— NEWS Staff and RCMP release