FORT ST. JAMES, B.C. - Three people are in custody after an extortion and firearms investigation in Fort St. James brought in the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, ended in a police pursuit and a foot chase, and left two firearms in police hands.
The investigation began on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, when investigators received information about threats of extortion and violence towards a local resident, and about a possible firearm in the suspect’s possession, the Fort St. James RCMP said in a release on November 12.
Based on that information, the North District Emergency Response Team was engaged, with support from Police Dog Services and RCMP Air Services. “The specialized training these units receive helps to ensure the safety of the public and police officers during investigations where violence and weapons are suspected to be involved,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, BC RCMP spokesperson for Northern B.C.
Pursuit ends on Lind Lake Pit Road
Officers located the suspect in a vehicle near the intersection of Eagle Drive and Garvie Road. When a traffic stop was initiated, the driver fled. A pursuit was authorized, and the vehicle was followed to the 2700-block of Lind Lake Pit Road, where it stopped and two people fled on foot. A third suspect stayed in the vehicle and was arrested. A search of the vehicle found two firearms, which were seized.
The two people who ran were located a short distance away and arrested. All three will remain in police custody until they can attend court, and the file remains under investigation. The release does not name the three or list charges.
“Pursuits are only declared after a risk assessment is conducted and it is determined that the risks associated to a pursuit are significantly outweighed by the risks the suspects themselves pose to the public,” said Cpl. Cooper, adding that a continuous risk assessment is conducted during a pursuit to ensure the factors continue to support it.
Extortion investigations have drawn major police resources across British Columbia in the past two years, including a dedicated task force in Surrey. In Fort St. James, a small district municipality on the south shore of Stuart Lake in northern B.C., this complaint began with threats reported against a single local resident. File #2026-2834 remains under investigation.
Apna News
(Source: Fort St. James RCMP, November 12, 2026)
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