A local man who was arrested in a violent altercation in April remains in custody, thanks in large part due to front-line officers establishing relationships with those involved in criminal activity. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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‘Establish a rapport with them:’ front line relationships key in recent arrest of Nanaimo violent offender

Jun 17, 2024 | 9:28 AM

NANAIMO — Relationships developed between local Mounties and those in and out of the local crime scene are responsible for the arrest of a prolific violent offender.

Officers from the Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement Unit on routine patrol in downtown Nanaimo in early April spotted a man known to them from past investigations and approached him in the parking lot of a business at the corner of Nicol and Milton streets.

Christopher Michael Yaskow, 32, was informed he was being detained and began to lash out, resulting in one officer being kicked in the head before Yaskow was subdued and placed in handcuffs, said Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien.

“After being arrested, they did a search of his effects and they found a loaded .22 calibre rifle along with bear spray. Extremely violent altercation that could have gone sideways pretty quick.”

Yaskow remains in police custody and faces charges of willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, assaulting a peace officer, possession of a firearm without a license and other charges.

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He has an arraignment hearing in provincial court in Nanaimo scheduled for Tuesday, June 18 where he could answer to charges recently laid against him.

Yaskow’s long criminal record on Vancouver Island includes offences primarily in Nanaimo, including serving multiple jail sentences since 2012.

He has convictions of offences involving violence, property crimes, various weapons offences, court-ordered probation breaches, along with multiple driving infractions.

O’Brien said a big part of this arrest was officers knowing the people they deal with and building a network of contacts locally.

“It’s so important for our officers to understand who they’re dealing with. [Officers] actually establish a rapport with them, so when they’re having a half decent day they actually communicate. However they also know they go down a path they’ve chosen and there’s criminality involved and our officers are quick to react and get them off the street when the opportunity presents itself.”

O’Brien noted the officer who was kicked in the head during the arrest was able to remain at work for the remainder of his watch.

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