Man charged with trying to extort marina in Sicamous

SICAMOUS – After a months-long investigation by Sicamous RCMP, a Lower Mainland man is facing a charge of extortion in connection to a report received earlier this year.

Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Murray McNeil says in a news release Bradley Garbutt from Richmond allegedly attempted to extort money from the owner of a marina in Sicamous.

Police arrested him without incident on Dec. 23 but he has been released on conditions including not contacting the owners of the marina or going to the business.

RCMP did not release the name of the marina or any specific details about the alleged offence.

Garbutt will appear in Salmon Arm court on Jan. 30.

"It is not often that we receive reports of attempted extortion," McNeil says in the release. "I think it is important for our community to know that every police report that comes into us, we take seriously and we will investigate to the best of our ability. Whenever and wherever it is appropriate, we will work with Crown Counsel to secure charges."

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