After a series of fires broke out on Knox Mountain, a popular park in Kelowna’s northern region, local authorities swiftly took action, leading to the arrest of a suspect.
The Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported the apprehension of a 48-year-old man on Friday following a disturbance near a construction site near the foot of Knox Mountain. Witnesses observed the individual, clad in full camouflage attire, using a slingshot to target both construction workers and surveillance equipment.
Eyewitnesses further claimed that the suspect was seen igniting fires and attempting to spread them by using surrounding vegetation. The risky behavior posed a serious threat to the numerous hikers, cyclists, and local residents in the vicinity, especially considering the dry weather conditions and variable winds.
Fortunately, the Kelowna Fire Department intervened before the situation escalated into a full-blown forest fire. The collaborative efforts of the RCMP, the fire department, and Bylaw officers led to the swift apprehension of the suspect, identified as Robert Austin Teal.
Teal now faces charges of arson and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon. His initial court appearance took place on Saturday, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for the upcoming Thursday.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information or who witnessed the events to contact the Kelowna RCMP non-emergency line at 250-762-3300.