(UPDATE: April 9 @ 5:30 am): A man from West Kelowna has been charged with the armed robbery of a medicinal marijuana farm in Sicamous.
Andrew Aiken, 31, has also been charged with flight from police and two counts of possessing stolen property worth more than $5,000.
He was arrested on Tuesday after Mounties enforced a perimeter around an area near Mable Lake in what was called a "high risk situation."
Police allege that a shot was fired at an employee of the marijuana facility during the raid.
Aiken has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on April 17.
Police believe two suspects who were not apprehended with Aiken fled the area in a small white hatchback shortly after departing the scene of the robbery.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Sicamous RCMP at 250-836-2878.
(UPDATE: April 7 @ 4:25 pm) - Mounties have released more information regarding a "high risk situation" that unfolded in Sicamous this morning.
According to police, the armed robbery of a marijuana growing facility began shortly before 4 am today, which triggered an alarm that sent a representative from the facility to check what was going on.
"Once on scene the property representative encountered suspects armed with firearms," said a statement from the RCMP.
"A shot was allegedly fired towards the property representative during an ensuing confrontation."
The victim was uninjured, but the suspects fled from the scene in a vehicle that was later abandoned in Enderby.
Police searched the area and were able to arrest one man, but no word has been given on any other potential suspects.
Anyone with additional information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Sicamous RCMP at 250-836-2878.
(UPDATE: April 7 @ 11:38): Mounties now have one man in custody.
In a statement, the RCMP said: "Police believe there is no further risk to the public stemming from this incident."
(Original story: April 7 @ 10:48 am): Mounties from the North Okanagan have created a perimeter around two suspects in connection to a crime committed early this morning.
Vernon RCMP and the Southeast District Emergency Response Team are searching in the area of Kingfisher, near Mabel Lake.
A senior officer described it as a “high risk situation potentially involving firearms.”
Police were alerted to an incident – about which they have not elaborated – at about 4 am this morning.
They did not say where the incident occurred.
Mounties later spotted a vehicle heading east along Mabel Lake Road in Enderby.
It was found abandoned near the lake.
They therefore established a perimeter around the area.
“In responding to calls of this nature, our police officers want to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” said Insp Kevin Keane.
“Given the large geographical area and high risk situation potentially involving firearms, the Southeast District Emergency Response Team has been brought in to assist with the search.”
Police are requesting members of the public keep clear of the area while the search continues.
Local residents should lock their doors and report any suspicious activity immediately.
