Police charge man following stand off

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 17, 2024.

A 28-year-old man has been charged after fleeing from Lethbridge Police in a vehicle and then later barricading himself inside a westside home.
On September 13, just before 11 a.m. police say they observed a man who was already wanted on outstanding warrants and a Canada wide-driving prohibition operating a vehicle on the 1500 block of 23 Avenue North. The driver proceeded to exit the vehicle and load items from one of the residential units.
Police say they attempted to pin the vehicle to prevent it from leaving to no avail as the driver was able to reverse and forcibly accelerate to flee from the scene at a high rate of speed, driving across a green strip and sidewalk and cutting off other vehicles. Due to the risk of public safety, police did not pursue the vehicle.
Just after 4 p.m. the same day, the suspect was located by police at a residence along the 100 block of Cowichan Court West. The man was reported to be armed with a firearm and barricaded himself inside the home, refusing to exit.
Members of the Critical Incident Team, including tactical team members and negotiators were deployed. After multiple hours of unsuccessful negotiation, a warrant to enter the home was granted. Members of the tactical team made entry to the home just before 10 p.m. and the man was taken into custody without incident. Through a search of the home due to the arrest, police say they seized a firearm which had been dismantled and the pieces hidden throughout the residence.
This incident also affected neighbors surrounding the residence as many of them were unable to return home from around 7:30 p.m. until after 10 p.m. Melanie Gunther left to run errands at 7:30 and was directed to leave to the back alley. When she returned half an hour later, she was unable to return to her home and had to wait outside.
“I just went to run some errands and then I came back, just after 8 p.m. and there was some sort of SWAT vehicle or something and I was like ‘hey, can I go get to my house?’ They said ‘No, you have to leave.’ So, I’ve just been waiting here,” said Gunther.
Dylan Ivan Sokal of Coaldale has been charged with: five counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, two counts of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon (vehicle), two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle, two counts of flight from police, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while prohibited and three counts of resisting arrest.
Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Sokal was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 17.

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