Axe wielding would-be thief caught by police

OLIVER – An Oliver man who used an axe to break down a door in a break and enter is now in custody.

Oliver RCMP were called to a Main Street apartment after a witness reported seeing a man enter the building after breaking the entrance door with a large axe around 7:40 in the morning on Feb. 17, Sgt. Blaine Gervais of the Oliver RCMP said in a press release issued today, Feb. 20.

RCMP dog services were called to the apartment, located above a Main Street business.

Police searched the apartment, but discovered the man had entered the business through an access door. The police dog and its handler entered the business, where the police dog engaged the man, who was hiding behind an office door.

The officer was able to grab the axe handle in a brief struggle before the suspect could use it on the police dog.

The suspect was restrained and arrested.

Steve Godbout, aged 50, remains in custody facing several charges in the incident. Godbout, who is well known to police, makes his next court appearance Feb. 28.

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