Oliver RCMP arrested a man who attempted four residential break and enters in less than an hour.
Derek Baptiste, 28, is facing 14 charges for the crime spree that started at 11:45 p.m. on Monday. RCMP said they responded to a 911 call where a couple inside their home answered a knock at their door to find an intoxicated man. The man tried to force himself into the home in the 600 block of McKinney Road, but then left after the owner ordered him to.
Const. Lesley Smith, media relations officer, said Mounties responded to a second break and enter which was in progress at 12:09 a.m. in the 8000 block of 81st Street. RCMP said the resident found a male suspect inside their home taking a television.
“The suspect was challenged by the homeowner and fled the area. A distinct description of the suspect was given to police,” said Smith.
At 12:24 a.m., RCMP were called to yet another break and enter in progress where the male suspect came into the residence, but upon being challenged by the homeowner, the man ran off. Mounties said the description of the suspect matched the others given.
“While members were investigating the most recent break-in, the RCMP were notified of another home invasion where the suspect had a knife,” said Smith. “The RCMP immediately attended the residence in the 8000 block of 370 Avenue and spoke with the female victim who woke up to find a male in her bedroom holding a kitchen knife.”
The man had fled from the scene and RCMP said the victim advised she recognized the man and could positively identify him, as she knew him and his family. Oliver RCMP officers and police dog services attended the last known address for the suspect where he was arrested without incident.
Baptiste consented to remand facing three counts of break and enter, home invasion, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, theft under $5,000, five counts of breach of recognizance and three counts of breach of probation.
According to court records, Baptiste has a long history or charges including two robberies he was found guilty of in March of 2003 that occurred in Oliver. He was sentenced to two years in jail and three years of probation for those incidents.