A man charged with his mother in a break-in at Crescent Valley in late December is now accused of participating in a home invasion.
Collin Ray McDonald, 20, was released on $100 bail by a local judge, over the objections of Crown counsel. At the time of his arrest, he faced 11 outstanding warrants in Alberta, but prosecutors in that province declined to have him returned there.
RCMP say McDonald and his 38-year-old mother, who was released on a condition to appear in court in April, quickly left the area, and new warrants were issued for the arrest.
McDonald has since been arrested along with two other people following a home invasion in Ashmont, Alta. on January 26 in which two men wearing dark clothes and balaclavas held a family at gunpoint.
The two victims were tied up while “a significant amount” of cigarettes and tobacco products as well as Canadian, American, and Korean currency was taken from their house and an adjoining convenience store they owned.
A third suspect waited in a nearby car.
Although no one was hurt during the crime, the victims were severely traumatized.
Police subsequently executed a search warrant on a motel room at St. Paul, recovering the stolen cash and property.
McDonald, along with Joseph Gerald Roy, 42, and Charlotte Bidlock are charged with robbery using a firearm, forcible confinement, wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime, breaking and entering, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and possession of stolen property.
All three are being held in custody pending their next court appearance.
Sgt. Darryl Little says it’s likely McDonald will have to face the latest charges before dealing with the Crescent Valley burglary.
In that incident, two suspects were spotted breaking into a shed on Cote Road.
One of the homeowners began to chase after them, at which point they dropped some of the items they were carrying.
McDonald and his mother were later arrested after a police dog tracked them down.
They had recently moved to the Slocan valley from the Okanagan. The woman has a criminal record too, but it’s not as extensive as her son’s.