UPDATE: Kelowna police standoff that prompted evacuations ends with arrest

KELOWNA – "We feel tired and scared."

Those are the words from a neighbour evacuated by RCMP at about 5 a.m. today, April 29, after a distraught, and possibly armed man, allegedly broke into one of the townhouses at The Rise at Monashee Place on Dilworth mountain in Kelowna.

The comment was made about half an hour before an emergency response team member walked back to his car to put away what looked like an automatic weapon. Nearby other officers started packing up a drone.

About eight to 10 of the townhouse units were evacuated as a precaution. Neighbours said the owners were away at the time of the break-in.

It all started when police were called to what looked like a break-in at one of the townhouses.

“Officers were in the process of entering the home, when they suddenly had to retreat to a tactical position and set up containment,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP in a news release. “Police have reason to believe that a distraught male, who is possibly armed remains alone inside the home.”

Police say they arrested a 39-year-old Kelowna man at 10:35 a.m. He faces a number of criminal charges.

“We extend our gratitude especially to those residents evacuated from their homes or asked to remain indoors, for their patience and unwavering understanding during what was a very dynamic situation.” O’Donaghey said in a release.

 — This story was updated at 11:41 a.m. April 29, 2019 to say an arrest had been made, and to add photos and comments from neighbours.

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