Squamish RCMP faced tens of thousands of dollars in damage Monday morning (April 23) after a man described as "distressed" used a vehicle to wreak havoc at the detachment on Finch Drive and Highway 99.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dave Ritchie said that although it's the first time the Squamish detachment has been targeted, police stations are routinely attacked throughout North America. The vehicle compound is rife with security measures, but it can't be entirely locked down since vehicles are constantly entering and exiting the lot. But it can always be improved, said Ritchie.
"Every incident brings a new plan," he said. "We'll look at a new plan."
The mayhem began at 12:50 a.m. Monday (April 23), when RCMP members heard a car alarm sounding in the parking lot. RCMP Cst. Thornloe approached the scene to find 35-year-old Kevin Defresne - a Whistler resident well-known to police - attempting to turn off a car alarm inside a Lincoln Town Car. Defresne appeared distressed, referred to "an appointment" and asked to speak to a supervisor, according to Ritchie. "We've had dealings with him in various capacities," said Ritchie, including drug-related and driving offences. "He's here regularly."As the constable was calling his supervisor, the vehicle drove out of the parking lot.
Members then heard a loud crash at the vehicle compound behind the detachment. Cst. Thornloe saw that the Town Car had been driven into the detachment building smashing through a wall and large framed window. Defresne then allegedly drove into six police vehicles, disabling them from service, drove around to the front of the detachment, and through another wall and large framed window. Defresne then fled the scene driving eastbound on Industrial Way. Members located the vehicle and driver at the Tim Horton's parking lot on Progress Way.
Ritchie said the suspect had no apparent signs of inebriation of drug use, and police have requested a 30-day psychiatric custody remand.
Defresne was held at the Squamish detachment and transported to North Vancouver Court Tuesday (April 24) facing several Criminal Code charges. The Squamish detachment has assessed the damage at approximately $24,000. The six vehicles will have to undergo repairs, and in the meantime, the Whistler detachment and RCMP headquarters in Chilliwack have provided the detachment with the transportation members need.
