Andrew Reynolds is upset the man accused of breaking into his custom-made tugboat, Trend D Foam, was released from custody and returned to the scene the same afternoon. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

judicial frustration

Nanaimo boat barricader allegedly returns to dock after release

Feb 3, 2026 | 2:48 PM

NANAIMO  — Andrew Reynolds was cleaning up the damaged interior of his custom-made converted tugboat when an unwelcomed guest reappeared at Cameron Island Marina.

Reynolds’ 65-foot boat was ransacked during a standoff with dozens of police officers on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Cameron Island Marina, resulting in the eventual arrest of 44-year-old Marcel Alvin Fontaine.

The accused allegedly made threats during a shoplifting incident at Port Place Shopping Centre’s Thrifty Foods on Sunday and returned to Reynolds’ boat.

Fontaine was arrested around 5:30 p.m. the same day, and was charged the following day by the BC Prosecution Service with break-and-enter to commit an indictable offence, mischief under $5,000 and breaching a police/court order.

Marcel Fontaine is accused of numerous criminal code offences in the Nanaimo area since late last year. (Image Credit: Facebook)

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After being transferred from Nanaimo RCMP cells to the provincial court’s jurisdiction, Fontaine was freed at 1:50 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, following a bail hearing, according to court records.

Later the same afternoon around 4:30, Reynolds was cleaning up his damaged boat from the weekend ordeal and reviewing newly secured on-board security footage to assist with the Nanaimo RCMP investigation.

“I look up on the boardwalk, and there is Marcel Fontaine staring me down,” a visibly shaken Reynolds told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Having reviewed footage of Fontaine throughout Monday, Reynolds’s IT assistant was certain the man standing on the marina ramp was Fontaine.

“A shiver goes up my spine, of course, ‘This can’t be? How is he out already? Why is he here?’ I then immediately called 911. We stared down for another two minutes, almost.”

Fontaine then retreated, first walking back to Front St., then heading south, before coming back toward the Gabriola Island ferry terminal, Reynolds said.

Fontaine eventually gave up peacefully to responding officers a few minutes later and was taken into custody on Front. St. near Port Dr., according to Reynolds, who kept a safe distance.

“What, when, where, and how is this going to change? We’re just on a downhill spiral, I’m rattled,” Reynolds said.

Fontaine was released again from custody on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 3, with his next court appearance scheduled for Feb. 10.

In addition to wondering why Fontaine was released to return to the crime scene, an incensed Reynolds wants to know how the accused was able to swiftly enter the gated marina.

“I don’t’ feel safe. That gentleman had to get through two locked gates. We have video footage of him getting around with ease.”

Andrew Reynolds recounted an eventful two days he experienced during a sit-down interview on Tuesday. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

‘It’s bizarre’ 

Upon reviewing footage of several on-board interior security cameras, Reynolds described the actions of the accused as a mix of respecting his boat and being peaceful, to shifting to sudden, erratic behaviour.

Reynolds alleged Fontaine first broke into his boat on Saturday.

Fontaine is accused of making himself right at home the day prior to his takedown by police, including having a shower and wearing a robe.

“It’s bizarre, bizarre stuff. He’s made himself steak and fries, he’s poured himself a beer.”

Watching his security camera footage, Reynolds said drug paraphernalia was visible while the accused took over his boat, noting the intruder continually declared, to nobody in particular, “This is my boat.”

He said the accused shifted from being calm to inflicting damage.

“He uses a baton-type flashlight butt-end and smashes it with this rage – very disturbing to see that look in his eyes.”

Internet routers were pulled, the boat’s central navigation system was turned on, and the assailant attempted to start his boat’s engine, Reynolds said.

Fontaine is accused of issuing threats during a shoplifting incident at Port Place Shopping Centre mid-afternoon on Sunday, before returning to the boat.

Reynolds said most of the damage to his boat was during the encounter the accused had with police on Sunday afternoon.

As the police closed in, the accused placed numerous on-board cooking knives in a defensive manner, including jabbing blades into furniture so they could be quickly grabbed.

“That’s when he threw a wine bottle through the back window while arguing with the RCMP…It looked like a bomb went off inside.”

In a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW, City Councillor and retired longtime RCMP officer Sheryl Armstrong her concerns regarding Fontaine’s alleged recent actions and how he was handled judicially.

She stated bail reform needs to be addressed.

“At the very least why was a psychiatric assessment not conducted based on the information I have read about.  We need investment in mental health so people get the care they need instead of a police response and jail,” Armstrong wrote.

Fontaine has a limited and recent criminal record.

Half a dozen charges were applied against Fontaine for an alleged Dec. 23 incident in Nanaimo, including assault with a weapon, theft under $,5000 and resisting arrest.

None of the allegations against Fontaine referenced in this article have been tested in court.

Reynolds’ valued workboat was the source of a high-profile incident on Sunday, Feb. 1, garnering an extensive police presence. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

EDITORS NOTE: NanaimoNewsNow originally reported Fontaine was held in custody pending a Feb. 10 court appearance. However, updated court records confirm Fontaine was in fact released on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 4. Nanaimo News Now regrets this error.

Marcel Fontaine was released from provincial court custody on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. (Image Credit: Court Services Online British Columbia)

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