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Prolific offender arrested in Okanagan after a month on the run

Andrew Hardenstine, who has more than 57 convictions, was described as 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ˜armed and dangerous91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ by police
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Andrew Hardenstine, seen in this undated police provided photo, was arrested on multiple warrants on April 5. He had been at large since February 21, when police descended on a property in Osoyoos. (RCMP)

More than a month after a dramatic police raid sent RCMP swarming across an Osoyoos property, the man they were looking for was arrested in Okanagan Falls.

Andrew Robert Hardenstine was arrested on April 5, in Okanagan Falls according to court records. He remains in custody.

Police had descended on a property in Osoyoos on Feb. 21, in an attempt to arrest Hardenstine on multiple warrants. While he wasn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t present, a recreational vehicle known to belong to him was searched.

The warrants were related to charges of flight from police, driving while disqualified, driving while prohibited, driving while suspended and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Hardenstine91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s latest arrest comes with a slew of new charges.

According to court records, Hardenstine has been charged with illegally possessing a weapon or ammunition to transfer, possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm, possessing a firearm without a licence or registration, occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present, possessing a firearm while prohibited, willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, disarming a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy confirmed the arrest and that Hardenstine is currently in custody after a request for comment on the circumstances of the arrest.

The February search for Hardenstine involved officers from every South Okanagan detachment, as well as Highway Patrol and the Southeast District91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Emergency Response Team.

RCMP then issued a warning to the public and a plea to Hardesntine to surrender himself for the safety of all.

Hardenstine has a lengthy record including breaking federal parole conditions, as well as arrests in 2013 and 2018 in the South Okanagan on drugs and firearms charges.

In 2013, he already had 57 previous criminal convictions. He received a three-year jail sentence in that case after the trial suffered delays when his initial defence lawyer asked to be taken off the case following Hardenstine91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s interruptions of the judge.

In 2018, he was arrested with a small arsenal of firearms, including multiple pistols, a home-made style shotgun, a crossbow and numerous rounds of ammunition in addition to drugs.

Hardenstine91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s next court appearance is scheduled for April 17 for a Judicial Interim Release hearing in Kelowna.

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Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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