Violent offender arrested in Prince George
Prince George
2022-05-04 14:30 PDT
File # 2022-14726
Just after 2:30 a.m. on April 30, 2022, Prince George RCMP received a report of an armed robbery of a person near Ospika Boulevard and 15 Avenue. The victim stated he was robbed at gunpoint by a male and a female and the suspects fled along Ospika Boulevard.
Police flooded the surrounding neighbourhoods and soon located a person leaving the area on bike, who matched the description of the male suspect. The man fled from police, eventually leaving his bike behind and hopping a fence. Frontline members remained persistent in their attempts and, after a foot pursuit, were successful in arresting him.
Police identified the man as Smitty Ralph Bent, who was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for violating his parole conditions. Mr. Bent was found in possession of a loaded firearm when police arrested him,
says Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media spokesperson for the Prince George RCMP.
Investigators held Smitty Bent in custody until he could attend court; the B.C. Prosecution Service approved the following charges:
- Armed robbery with a firearm
- Possession of a loaded prohibited/restricted firearm without a license
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession was unauthorized
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order x2
- Possession of a weapon
Smitty Ralph Bent will remain in custody until his next court appearance. The female suspect remains outstanding. One RCMP officer suffered a non-life threatening injury during the dynamic arrest.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information about this or any other criminal offence, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
Consider registering your home or business surveillance system with the City of Prince George’s CCTV registry. For more information, visit the City of Prince George website at www.princegeorge.ca/cctv (English only).
Released by
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper
Communications NCO / Media Relations OfficerPrince George RCMP
455 Victoria Street, Prince George, BC, V2L 0B7
Office: 250-561-3300
Email:
pg_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: princegeorge.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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