Man arrested in Nanaimo after locking himself inside a tugboat, RCMP say

An RCMP cruiser is seen in this file photo.

Nanaimo RCMP have arrested one man after he allegedly barricaded himself inside a tugboat on Sunday.

Authorities said the suspect was involved in a series of incidents over the course of several hours, beginning with an attempted theft at the Thrifty Foods inside the Port Place Mall around 2:45 in the afternoon.

Staff at the store reported he tried to leave without paying, before becoming hostile and threatening a loss prevention officer, according to the RCMP.

Soon after, he was allegedly spotted boarding a privately owned tugboat that was docked along the waterfront, refusing to come out after officers responded to the scene.

The RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, RCMP Negotiators, and RCMP West Coast Marine Services were all called in to assist due to his refusal to leave and threats made to officers.

The suspect was eventually removed from the boat, and taken into police custody at around 5:30 p.m.

In a statement, Insp. Donovan Tait from Nanaimo RCMP said the co-ordinated effort between the different units involved ”allowed for a swift, controlled, and effective response.”

The suspect, who remains in police custody, has been charged with break and enter and two counts of mischief.