The Castlegar RCMP is currently investigating a break and enter, which occurred early Sunday morning at the Chameleon Restaurant in downtown Castlegar. The suspect may be injured after being shot at by the complainant.
Hartmut Kaden, owner of the Chameleon and the complainant, says the incident occurred sometime between 4 and 5 a.m. He alleges that a white male entered the restaurant by breaking the glass pane in the front door before proceeding to the restaurant’s office.
Kaden and his family live upstairs from the restaurant and his wife says she was changing their infant son’s diaper when she heard the glass break.
“I had just changed the baby and I had the window open, so I heard the smashing glass,” she said.
“He sprayed me with bear spray, and well, I responded and shot at him one time,” says Kaden.
He’s unsure if he hit the suspect, but says his wife heard the man cursing outside the restaurant after he’d fled.
In the press release issued by the Castlegar RCMP, who responded to the incident, they say, “The complainant also stated that the suspect was wearing a brown hoodie and had his face was covered.”
Asked for a further description of the suspect, Kaden estimated his height between 170 and 175 centimeters (approximately five feet and seven inches to five feet and nine inches) and his weight at “at least 80 kilograms” (176 pounds).
But he said it was his wife who got the best look at the suspect.
According to the RCMP press release: “Investigators located clothing articles nearby, which they believe were associated [with] the incident. The suspect has not been identified or located and police would like to confirm the well-being of the suspect and ascertain further information as to what occurred.”
RCMP say the investigation is ongoing and request that anyone with information regarding the incident or who may have knowledge of the suspects’ whereabouts contact the Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721 or via Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.