Kym Robert Arkell is back in custody following an alleged altercation with Nanaimo RCMP on Saturday, March 15. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By Ian Holmes

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NANAIMO — Police had their hands full this past weekend responding to a report of a man throwing an axe into the back of a truck near Woodgrove Centre.

It happened on Saturday, March 15 at about 4:30 p.m., where Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said a civilian pointed out the alleged axe-thrower, who’s allegedly 40-year-old Kym Robert Arkell.

O’Brien said a pair of their officers engaged Arkell on Metral Dr. near Aulds Rd.

“They went to arrest him and he took off on foot. There’s a short foot chase. Arkell allegedly brings out some bear spray [from his backpack], discharges it at the members, the members continue with their arrest, they fight with him and take him into custody.”

O’Brien noted paramedics attended the scene, where one officer was treated on scene, while another was sent to Nanaimo hospital for further decontamination from the irritant.

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Arkel was formally charged the following day by the B.C. Prosecution Service with two counts of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resisting arrest, and two counts of breaching probation conditions.

O’Brien said Arkell had two arrest warrants issued against him at the time for other charges.

He’ll remain in custody indefinitely.

None of the allegations against Arkell regarding the Saturday incident have been proven in court.

O’Brien described the incidents as “an extremely volatile situation,” stating the axe throwing incident and bear-spraying required immediate police intervention.

He said it was a tense exchange between police and the accused, noting their ability to gain control of the situation was compromised by the use of bear spray.

“It’s a high-risk situation for our members. Kudos to them for working through that and realizing they had to get this person in custody and off the street and that’s exactly what they did.”

Arkell has an extensive criminal record, including multiple violent encounters with police in Nanaimo, and numerous stints in and out of jail.

He was handed a two-year jail sentence for arson for causing significant damage to the Northfield Rd. Tim Hortons location in August 2022.

Other notable crimes by Arkell include threatening to kill a retail worker at Country Club Centre in 2020, as well as a pair of life-threatening stand-offs with Nanaimo RCMP at Beban Park in 2017 and 2018.

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