National

Two Men Arrested In Extortion Case Involving Vancouver Island Family

The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2015 12:34 PM

NANAIMO, B.C. — Mounties say a Vancouver Island family was allegedly forced to lodge a man in their home for a week and do what he demanded under the threat of violence.

Nanaimo RCMP Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong says in a news release that police began their investigation Tuesday after a report of an alleged extortion.

Armstrong did not provide further details, saying only that the victims were forced to let the man stay in their home under duress and that another person was also allegedly involved.

Armstrong says 30-year-old Blair Schmidt of Nanaimo is charged with uttering threats, assault with a weapon, use of a firearm to commit extortion and pointing a firearm.

She says he is being held in custody and is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Armstrong says 42-year-old Steve Johnson of Nanaimo was expected to appear in court Thursday to face a charge of uttering threats.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Ducks Rescued After Oil Spills Into Toronto Creek, Clean Up Underway

The Toronto Wildlife Centre said it had rescued 31 ducks — with at least a dozen more en route — that were slicked with oil by late Tuesday afternoon.

Ducks Rescued After Oil Spills Into Toronto Creek, Clean Up Underway

Harper's Office Attacks Mulcair, Trudeau After Rate Cut By Bank Of Canada

OTTAWA — The Conservative government is trying to turn bad economic news to its political advantage as the Bank of Canada outlines a gloomy financial forecast for the rest of the year.

Harper's Office Attacks Mulcair, Trudeau After Rate Cut By Bank Of Canada

New Democrat Decries Brief Security Shutdown At B.C. Legislature

VICTORIA — Access to British Columbia's legislature was restricted briefly Tuesday due to security concerns resulting from a noisy protest inside the building's public gallery.

New Democrat Decries Brief Security Shutdown At B.C. Legislature

B.C. To Review Penalty And Fine Structure For People Who Spark Wildfires

Forests Minister Steve Thomson said Tuesday that humans have caused 375 of the 1,086 wildfires that have been reported since April 1 and those flames have burned 440 square kilometres.

B.C. To Review Penalty And Fine Structure For People Who Spark Wildfires

Crown Says Delta Police Officer Won't Stand Trial On Second-Degree Murder Charge

VICTORIA — A second-degree-murder charge has been dropped against a police officer involved in a lengthy armed standoff outside a Vancouver-area casino.

Crown Says Delta Police Officer Won't Stand Trial On Second-Degree Murder Charge

Record Warm Temperatures To Have Years-long Effect On B.C. Salmon Stocks

VANCOUVER — Record-breaking temperatures along the coast of British Columbia will harm Pacific salmon for years to come, says the Fisheries Department.