Prolific offender nabbed
A prolific offender is now back in custody facing multiple charges on drug related and firearms charges after being arrested in Penticton.
Andrew Robert Hardenstine attempted to evade arrest when allegedly found in possession of a 9-mm handgun, a semi-automatic assault rifle, a sack full of ammunition and drugs.
On September 11 members of the Penticton RCMP Drug Task Force arrested Hardenstine at an apartment building on Roy Avenue. The arrest came as a result of an investigation into Hardenstine’s activities since his recent release on court-imposed conditions.
Police observed Hardenstine enter and exit an apartment building with a backpack and what appeared to be a rifle draped in cloth, sticking out of the backpack. Police moved in to arrest Hardenstine when he exited the building; he was seen getting on a KTM enduro motorcycle parked in a nearby alley.
Hardenstine attempted to flee as RCMP officers moved in to arrest him. The suspect tried to manoeuvre the motorcycle around an unmarked police car, but he collided with it and was knocked down. The officer exited his vehicle and physically took hold of Hardenstine, who then broke free and ran into the grasp of other officers who were nearby. Hardenstine is alleged to have resisted the arrest, resulting in two officers incurring minor injuries, including a broken wrist.
Officers seized the following items from Hardenstine and the backpack that he was carrying: an SKS semi-automatic assault rifle with a folding stock; a loaded 9-mm handgun with laser sight and silencer capabilities; a plastic bottle containing approximately 100 ml of GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate, known as the “date-rape drug); 50 shotgun shells, numerous 9-mm rounds, and 10 long gun rifle rounds.
Hadernstine was remanded into custody for a court appearance on Monday.
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Fishing gear stolen
Police are looking for $500 worth of fishing gear stolen from an Oliver residence September 3.
A resident living in the 700 block of Bartlett Avenue reported the overnight theft of fishing equipment from a boat that was on a trailer parked in a driveway.
Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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Thieves make off with batteries
On September 5 three “Group 31” batteries valued at $400 were stolen from a business located in the 100 block of Pine Street in Oliver.
This theft occurred overnight and no entry to the premises was reported.
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Fire may have been deliberate
On September 5 at 10:13 pm, the Oliver Fire Department reported it attended a fire on the dike off Thorp Road, across from the greenhouses.
Fire officials stated that the fire had been put out by campers prior to their attendance, but as there were partially burned, gas-soaked rags at the scene, they felt it was deliberate. Police spoke with campers who stated they had not observed anything but heard a diesel truck at the time the fire started.
