VERNON – A Vernon officer played a key role in catching an international fugitive wanted by Interpol for child luring.

The officer, who is not named in a media release from Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, was working regular duty in Vernon the afternoon of April 29 when he saw a truck with a trailer blocking a lane on 43 Avenue near 28 Street.

The driver had no identification but provided a name, however a check revealed the name was actually that of a deceased individual.

“The driver was then arrested for obstruction and eventually identified himself as 70-year-old Robert Andronyk,” Moskaluk says.

Andronyk is wanted in the U.S. for a Child Luring, was on bail for another charge of child luring out of Edmonton and is also listed as a missing person out of Stranthcona, Alberta. The National Post reports the Edmonton man also staged a suicide last November in an attempt to avoid extradition.

He was arrested without incident and taken to the Vernon Detachment.

Moskaluk says Andronyk will likely be extradited to the U.S. and will remain in custody until then.

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