The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says its officers had to rappel down from the roof of a West End highrise building onto a patio last week to arrest a man who refused to leave a tenant’s home.
Officers were called to the building, located in the area of Bute and Harwood, shortly after noon on June 23 after a “roommate dispute that escalated,” the VPD says.
“One man who was visiting from out of town refused to leave the premises and had overstayed his welcome,” Cst. Darren Wong told CityNews.
“The man, who was allegedly intoxicated on alcohol and drugs, refused to vacate the premises and barricaded himself inside, despite numerous requests from police negotiators to come out.”
He threatened to jump off the balcony, Wong says, which led police to “make dynamic entry” into the home to ensure his safety.
Video circulating online appears to show VPD officers entering a unit both from above and from an adjacent apartment balcony.
“The now-viral video captures VPD ERT police officers rappelling off the roof to make entry into the suite via open balcony,” Wong confirms.
The man was arrested and charged with one count of committing forcible detainer and one count of being unlawfully in a dwelling house, he says.
Police say no injuries were reported.