Alberta man arrested in Kelowna after 'bizarre' child grabbing incident
RCMP say suspect allegedly tried to grab child from mother and then tried to swim away
Kelowna RCMP say a 30-year-old man is in custody after a child was allegedly grabbed from its mother Sunday afternoon in a "bizarre" incident.
Police say they responded to calls from Kerry Park at Bernard Avenue and Abbott Street about a man allegedly grabbing a small child being held by its mother.
According to witnesses, the male suspect tried to swim away in Okanagan Lake after a struggle over the child.
Images and video posted online appear to show the suspect taking off his clothes and swimming in the lake before being apprehended.
"During his attempt to flee and his interaction with other onlookers and police, he began to disrobe," said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/KelownaRCMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KelownaRCMP</a> lead away a suspect at Kerry Park after a child was allegedly grabbed from their mother Sunday. Witnesses said after being rebuffed, the suspect took his clothes off and swam in Okanagan Lake before being apprehended. Child is OK. Video: Madison Attwood. <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcnewsbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbcnewsbc</a> <a href="https://t.co/fcRwkqLcBs">pic.twitter.com/fcRwkqLcBs</a>
—@ChadPawsonThe man wasn't known to the family, said O'Donaghey, adding the suspect faces potential charges.
"Our investigation does remain ongoing [as] it wasn't immediately clear exactly what the male's intentions were," he said.
Police say the child appeared to be uninjured but was examined in hospital before being released.
The suspect, who police say is originally from Alberta, was expected to appear in court Monday.
Kelowna RCMP are asking any witnesses to the incident to contact them.