Members of the Fort St. John RCMP responded to a keep the peace call during the removal of unwanted squatters in a private residence on October 1st which led to one arrest.
According to law enforcement, frontline officers attended the residence and were met by two “unwanted individuals” and the property owner who was trying to assist them with removing themselves and their belongings from the property.
Police say during the process, one of the individuals unexpectedly became erratic and aggressive, allegedly breaking their own possessions and proceeding to set them on fire in the backyard.
“This was a situation where emotions ran high and the situation suddenly took a sudden turn for the worse,” Fort St. John RCMP Media Relations Officer Chad Neustaeter says.
The officers on the scene utilized verbal de-escalation techniques and the individual calmed down and surrendered. Both individuals were arrested and removed from the property, and the Fort St. John Fire Service quickly put out the blaze.
One individual was released, while Trevor Olfert was held for court and is facing one charge of Arson Causing Damage to Own Property.
Olfert remained in police custody until October 2nd and is scheduled to appear in court on October 7th.
