Drug suspect evades police by jumping into Kootenay River
By Nelson Daily Staff
A suspect remains at large and is considered a missing person after jumping into the Kootenay River near Cranbrook to evade the RCMP drug task force Wednesday afternoon.
Jason Baker, 40, fled arrest by jumping into the Kootenay River as Cranbrook/Kimberley RCMP drug task force located two males in possession of a large amount of cocaine adjacent to the Wardner/Ft Steele Road near the intersection of Highway 3.
When officers moved in to make an arrest, and took one male into custody, the second male fled.
Additional officers were immediately dispatched from the Cranbrook area and Cranbrook and Kimberley Search and Rescue were activated and searched the river, assisted by the RCMP helicopter and a police service dog team.
Calgary resident Jared Strecheniuk, 35, was arrested at the scene and was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking.
Strecheniuk appeared in court and is schedule back in court Monday, (September 16).
Cranbrook RCMP is actively looking for Baker. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
