Wednesday evening, Parksville: RCMP Helicopter flying overhead. Eight police vehicles huddled at the entrance to the San Pariel neighbourhood, some with emergency lights flashing.
Social media reports of a break-in that went bad or fugitive on the loose. San Pariel residents saying they were asked by police — by loudspeaker no less — to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and stay inside. Media reports from outside Parksville calling it a manhunt.
The end result: no charges, search discontinued and no danger to the public, according to the Oceanside RSCMP
At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, RCMP say they were called to San Pariel to reports of a disturbance. The complainant called the RCMP to reports there was a man in distress who was in a vehicle with a woman. He was reportedly yelling, screaming, and possibly kicking at his windshield, according to a Thursday morning news release from the police.
"As police attended, the 24 year old Nanoose Bay man fled on foot into the woods," said the release. "Coincidentally, the Vancouver Island RCMP helicopter was passing by on the way back to Comox and assisted with the search for the man. The man was not located after a thorough search, although the RCMP are aware of the man's identity."
"At this point in the investigation it does not appear that charges will be warranted," said the release. "However, the RCMP are interested in speaking to the man to determine what led to his elevated mood and running from the police. The general public should not be concerned; this was an isolated incident with no danger to others."