Boyle RCMP officers had an unexpected encounter Tuesday morning when a local man approached the village detachment with an axe with intent to harm officers.
Detachment commander Sgt. Dennis Properzi said in a Aug. 14 interview the incident unfolded shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning when officers were alerted to the approaching man.
“One officer engaged him in the street and three others joined,” said Properzi. “Four officers in total were able to converge and make sure that he was secured safely without any harm to anybody.”
The man was apprehended in the 1st Ave area near the detachment. When approached by responding members, Properzi said the man was compliant with orders to drop the axe but did not follow subsequent commands.
Officers used a taser to subdue the man, who was reported to have walked through Nutrient Ag Solutions yard near the railroad before heading towards the detachment. Properzi said the man is alleged to have threatened staff and vandalised property at the yard.
“Fortunately, he was targeting us and not any members of the public. That’s our job, and we feel more than capable of dealing with individuals at that level,” said Properzi. “It doesn’t happen everyday, but you’re always prepared for it because it can happen.”
Properzi said the man is a Boyle local known to police. “This gentleman is suffering from some mental health issues, we believe,” said the detachment commander. “We’re hoping that he gets some assistance through the court and mental health processes.”
Damon Leroy Omelchuk has been charged with seven criminal code breaches, including three counts of uttering threats, and single counts of resisting arrest, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, vandalism, and mischief.
Omelchuk was held in custody after an initial judicial interim release hearing and will be back in front of a Justice of the Peace again for release consideration Aug. 15.