Barricaded man surrenders to RCMP

Posted on: Staff Writer

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Following a three-hour evacuation and an equipped and on-guard RCMP presence in one of Strathmore’s neighbourhoods, authorities were able to convince a man to leave the residence in which he had unlawfully barricaded himself, and surrender.
Eight RCMP officers were spotted setting up a perimeter around a residence near Brentwood Drive and Maplewood Drive on June 19 at approximately 6:30 p.m, after 49-year-old Vaughn Eugene Carrigan contacted the authorities describing his whereabouts and his intentions of remaining in the home.
By entering the home, Carrigan violated conditions of his recognizance – a condition imposed by the courts – that prohibit the individual from stepping foot on the property as a result of a domestic violence incident. Proceeding to barricade the doors and windows with household items and reportedly possessing a hatchet, Strathmore RCMP communicated with Carrigan for three hours before he eventually surrendered.
“These type of events do, unfortunately, occur,” said Staff Sgt. Steve Vince, with the Strathmore RCMP detachment. “When they do, the police in the area are looking out for the safety of everyone in that area. We’re interfering with people’s off-time that are trying to enjoy their home-life, and we appreciate the public’s assistance in keeping everyone in the community safe.”
While Vince added that these incidents are neither common nor rare, however, the detachment deals with several similar incidents a year. The Emergency Response Team was also requested for assistance though they didn’t arrive before Carrigan surrendered.
The residents residing on the property were not home at the time of the incident, and the surrounding neighbours were allowed back into their homes by 10 p.m.
Carrigan’s current charges include uttering threats, driving while unauthorized, and three counts of breach of recognizance, along with other previously laid charged. He is currently being held in custody and will appear in Drumheller court on June 26.