Bryan Imhoff, 31, is accused of threatening to kill a Nanaimo RCMP officer during a struggle on Nanaimo's waterfront on Dec. 28, 2021. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

high risk arrest

Suspect accused of attempting to disarm and kill Nanaimo Mountie during downtown arrest

Jan 7, 2022 | 1:09 PM

NANAIMO — Serious charges have been applied against a man following a confrontation with retail staff and Nanaimo RCMP.

Bryan Imhoff, 31, was arrested and charged following a Dec 28, 2021 incident in which police say he threatened to kill an RCMP officer and attempted to steal the Mountie’s gun.

Cst. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP media liaison officer, said the mid afternoon incident was in response to Imhoff allegedly shop-lifting and threatening a staff member at nearby London Drugs in Port Place Shopping Centre.

The Mountie tracked the suspect to the Promenade Dr. area just off Front St., where O’Brien said the officer told the suspect he was under arrest as he reached into his backpack.

The veteran officer attempted to secure the suspect’s wrist, but he resisted, O’Brien said.

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The suspect then allegedly threatened to kill the officer with the Mountie’s holster-secured gun.

“An extremely dangerous situation,” Cst. O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Our officer stayed in the fight, ensured that the firearm did not leave the holster.”

Continued threats to shoot the officer were allegedly repeated by Imhoff during the struggle.

A Good Samaritan walking by then threatened to kick the suspect.

“This distracted the suspect just long enough for another officer to arrive and together they took the suspect into custody,” O’Brien said.

Imhoff is charged with three offences: uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer, and assaulting a peace officer.

He has been remanded into police custody until Jan. 18 where Imhoff is scheduled to make a court appearance.

Court records showed Imhoff is facing nine charges in relation to three sets of offences in Nanaimo including property crimes and assault.

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