‘Lengthy’ standoff in Merritt results in arrest of wanted man

Merritt RCMP arrested a wanted man after a standoff early this morning.

There was a report of a suspicious person in the Voght Street and Priest Avenue area at 1:37 a.m. today, Nov. 23, according to an RCMP press release.

Frontline officers, upon arrival, witnessed a man kick in the back door of a house and then rush inside. Police evacuated the people who were living there and called in the South East District Emergency Response Team.

There was a “lengthy” standoff with police, RCMP say, but the suspect, Ronald Karlson, was safely taken into custody after exiting the house.

"We want to thank the public for all the information they provided during our search for Mr. Karlson." Kamloops RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda said in the release. "We are thankful no one was injured and this had a successful conclusion."

Karlson remains in custody and is due in court today.

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