Three activists arrested for mischief outside Premier Horgan’s Vancouver Island home
Posted February 18, 2020 2:14 pm.
Last Updated February 18, 2020 2:17 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – RCMP arrested three adults for mischief at Premier John Horgan’s Vancouver Island home Tuesday as activists tried to detain him ahead of the 2020 budget being released.
West Shore RCMP responded to a call at 7:50 a.m. about mischief at the premier’s personal residence in Langford.
It was reported to police that individuals had entered Horgan’s private property, disturbing his family by banging on his door, stating they were going to make a citizen’s arrest of the premier.
When officers arrived, the individuals had moved away from the front of the premier’s home and were blocking access to his driveway.
They refused to leave, police said.
Horgan wasn’t home at the time, but returned and had an exchange with demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion, which threatened to make a citizen’s arrest in opposition to the budget and Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline.
RCMP set up a safety zone at the premier’s home and warned the individuals they would be arrested if they continued to commit mischief.
Several individuals left and stood outside the safety zone.
However, three adults remained and were arrested, police said.
They were taken to the West Shore detachment and are to be released on a condition to appear in court at a later date.
They will also be bound by conditions not to be in the area of the premier’s residence or his constituency office in Langford.
“The unlawful entry onto private property and committing the criminal offence of mischief by blocking access at the premier’s residence was a gross invasion. I strongly condemn the actions of the individuals involved,” said Insp. Todd Preston, officer in charge of West Shore RCMP.
The activists’ actions are the premier’s home were also criticized by the BC Liberal and Green parties.
