Daycare evacuated as wanted offender arrested in Duncan

Police evacuated a nearby daycare and sought help from a tactical unit as they arrested a known dangerous offender on Tuesday afternoon.

Acting on a tip they received earlier in the day, police located 35-year-old Nathan Myles in a residence in the 3000 block of Sprott Road, north of Duncan. Police say that “alleged additional violent offences” had been committed by Myles at the Sprott Road home on Tuesday, but did not give any further details.

Myles was wanted in connection with a series of violent offences, including a serious assault on an 18-year-old Duncan woman.

Knowing that Myles is prone to violence, the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP requested assistance from the Island’s tactical unit.

“Given the violent history of the individual involved in this case, we deployed the Island District RCMP Emergency Response Team to assist us with this arrest,” Island District RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Darren Lagan said. “Their expertise ensures that arrests of this nature are conducted efficiently and safely, increasing the likelihood of a peaceful resolution for all involved.”

The nearby Parkside Daycare, which occupies the former Somenos Rural Traditional School building, was evacuated during the arrest.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the occupants of a nearby daycare facility were moved to a safe location away from this property, prior to officers making contact with the suspect,” Lagan said. “The cooperation of the children, their parents, and the daycare staff is appreciated.”

Myles was arrested without incident, and will remain in police custody until he appears in court. He is facing charges of harassment, unlawful confinement, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, two counts of assault, and four counts of uttering threats. The date for his next appearance has not been set.