Suspect in West Kelowna home invasion taken down by RCMP in Rutland

CENTRAL OKANAGAN – RCMP are describing as “dramatic" the arrest of a Kelowna man who they allege was responsible for a violent break and enter in West Kelowna.

Kelowna RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a press release police have been searching for John Michael Aronson since September 23 when they allege he broke into a house in the 3000 block of Ensign Way.

Police say Aronson was arrested in Rutland near Moyer Road and Friesen Drive without incident around 3 p.m. yesterday, Oct. 12 by West Kelowna RCMP along with several officers from different units including the Kelowna RCMP canine unit. It created a spectacle for neighbours but Cpl. Clayton Wiebe from West Kelowna says the numbers were needed to ensure the arrest went smoothly.

“Our primary concern, during the execution of what RCMP believed to be a high risk apprehension, was of course public and police safety," Wiebe says. "That also includes the safety and well-being of the accused, who was taken into police custody without incident.”

Aronson is expected to appear before a judge today in Kelowna where he faces a number of charges, including some unrelated to the break and enter, O’Donaghey said.

Those could include assault, assault with a weapon, possessing, using and pointing a firearm, uttering threats and break and enter.

RCMP are on the hunt for Michael Aronson of Kelowna who is wanted on several charges. SUBMITTED/RCMP


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John McDonald

John McDonald

John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.

It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.

But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.

If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca