Man threatens officer with hammer

"MORE AND MORE OUR OFFICERS EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOUR"

A mountie put himself in harm's way Monday when a suspect made a threatening advance on him with a hammer, and Vernon's RCMP spokesperson says moments like that have become increasingly common.

It all started as a report of domestic assault in the 6900 block of Tronson Road. 

When the first officer arrived on scene shortly after 9 a.m. he discovered a man smashing the window of a car with a hammer.

"When the officer spoke to the suspect and told him to drop the hammer the 52-year-old suspect turned and approached our officer in a threatening manner," RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said.  "Our officer feared for his safety and drew his side arm."

The suspect continued to approach while the cop shouted at him to drop the hammer. Eventually, the suspect turned and walked away.

The officer approached the suspect a second time a few minutes later.

"(He) deployed pepper spray that eventually had the desired effect and the suspect gave up," Molendyk said.

The man was taken into custody and faces numerous charges in relation to uttering threats and assault. He is expected to appear in court Wednesday.

Molendyk said aggressive behaviour is becoming an unfortunate reality on Vernon's streets.

"More and more our officers experience this type of behavior from suspects they deal with within our communities," Molendyk said. "It is a credit to the clear thinking of this senior officer that this case ended without anyone being hurt."

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230