A man is facing several charges after a reported robbery involving what appeared to be a firearm at a business in Fort St. John.
Fort St. John RCMP said officers received multiple reports at about 8:50 a.m. on June 18 that a man was pointing what witnesses believed was a firearm at staff members of a business near Alaska Road North and 92A Street.
Officers responded immediately and located the suspect leaving the area on foot. Police arrested the man near Matthews Park after a brief foot pursuit.
Investigators later determined the object involved was not a firearm, although it resembled one.
RCMP said the man was charged with robbery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer and breach of probation.
“This incident developed rapidly and witnesses had reason to believe the male was in possession of a real firearm. It was determined afterward that the object brandished by the suspect was not a real firearm, this however did not detract from the seriousness of the situation and the male now has multiple charges laid against him”, said Const. Christiaan Dreyer, media relations officer with Fort St. John RCMP.
Police have not released further details.
