Man with chainsaw surrenders after police standoff at South Okanagan liquor store

A commotion at a gas station in Summerland last night was caused by a man with a chainsaw.

“He was having a bit of an incident,” said Sgt. Chris Manseau, with the B.C. RCMP, adding it was not a robbery.

The RCMP responded to a call of a person holding a running chainsaw at the Trout Creek Liquor Store, Oct. 22, which is right next door to the Centex gas station on Highway 97.

“He was causing a scene at the liquor store,” Manseau said.

The suspect then made his way into the gas station.

“Again, he was causing a scene with a running chainsaw, doing some damage.”

The RCMP arrived and there was a standoff. The emergency response team, a negotiator and the K9 unit were called in for backup. The fire department was also on scene.

The man was eventually taken into custody without incident and no injuries were reported.

“The suspect either gave up or no longer wanted to cause a scene after about an hour,” Manseau said.

Police are working with the B.C. Prosecution Service to determine what charges are appropriate if any, he said.

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