By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Police draw guns, take down man with knife near Nanaimo playground

Aug 25, 2017 | 4:45 PM

NANAIMO — Guns were drawn by police during a physical take down of a man with a knife just metres away from a busy central Nanaimo playground.

Cpl. Jon Stuart said two dog service members were training in the area of Leam Rd., off Bowen Rd., around 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24. He said one of the officers noticed 32-year-old Nanaimo man Kym Arkell nearby, who has outstanding warrants.

Stuart said Arkell then allegedly pulled a knife, threatened the officers as they approached him and ran toward the Kinsmen Participark, less than 200-metres away from the popular Altrusa playground. While one Mountie distracted Arkell, the other tackled him from behind, finally separating him from the knife. Stuart said it “took quite a bit” to get Arkell into custody.

“The concerns are we have a member of the public who is out there with a knife threatening officers. Also…we have a public park, we have the kids play park right next door and of course there’s concerns the children might have been at risk.

“Anytime we’re dealing with somebody that has a weapon, we’re required to interact appropriately…If somebody produces a knife, we produce our gun, which is our protection,” Stuart said, adding they received a fair number of calls about officers with their guns out.

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Stuart said Arkell did require a trip to hospital and the province’s police watchdog was informed about the incident, however the injuries weren’t serious enough to warrant their involvement.

Arkell was charged with several offences and will be held in custody until his next court appearance on Monday. Stuart said his previous warrants are for break and enter and possessing a weapon.

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