A wanted man with a history of violence and drug crimes is at large despite police swarming a property in Osoyoos on Feb. 21.
Andrew Robert Hardenstine is wanted for flight from police, drive while disqualified, drive while prohibited, drive while suspended and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
On Wednesday afternoon, police descended on the property at 100th Avenue in Osoyoos where a recreational vehicle known to belong to Hardenstine had been spotted.
The police response drew officers from every detachment in the South Okanagan, Highway Patrol and the Southeast District RCMPsa国际传媒檚 Emergency Response Team.
An RCMP helicopter and police dogs were also deployed, however Hardenstine wasnsa国际传媒檛 found.
sa国际传媒淎n extensive and thorough search of the entire property including the recreational vehicle, outbuildings and the main residence were searched,sa国际传媒 said RCMP spokesperson Sgt Jason Bayda. sa国际传媒淧olice located and seized a considerable amount of illicit drugs and a loaded firearm, however the search was not successful in locating Hardenstine. We are confident the land owner or residents of the main residence were not party to any offence.sa国际传媒
Hardenstine is known to possess weapons and is considered armed and dangerous. If you see or know of Hardentinesa国际传媒檚 whereabouts, please call 911 and do not approach him.
sa国际传媒淢r. Hardenstine, for the safety of yourself, the public and police, we are asking you to turn yourself in to the police so that your matters before the courts can be dealt with accordingly,sa国际传媒 said Bayda.
Hardenstinesa国际传媒檚 record includes breaking federal parole conditions, as well as arrests in 2013 and 2018 in the South Okanagan on drugs and firearms charges.
In 2013, he already had 57 previous criminal convictions. He received a three-year jail sentence in that case, after the trial suffered delays when his initial defence lawyer asked to be taken off the case following Hardenstinesa国际传媒檚 interruptions of the judge.
In 2018, he was arrested with a small arsenal of firearms, including multiple pistols, a home-made style shotgun, a crossbow and numerous rounds of ammunition in addition to drugs.
There is a warrant for Hardenstine for an incident in March of 2023 where he was charged with resisting or obstructing an officer as well as two counts of possession of drugs for trafficking.
Hardenstine is 44 years-old, and is described 5sa国际传媒 9sa国际传媒 tall, weighing about 170 pounds with short brown hair and numerous tattoos. In a police-provided photo, one of the tattoos on his chest appears to be that of an iron cross, a widely regarded hate symbol.