An Alberta man facing sex charges in Alberta has been arrested in Port Alberni.
RCMP Police arrested Sean Roney, 28, in Port Alberni on Feb. 19. Roney was arrested on outstanding warrants from Strathmore, Alta. for two counts of sexual assault and five counts of breach of probation.
Roney had come in to the Port Alberni RCMP detachment to inquire about another matter, RCMP Cpl. Colin Banks said.
Roney's name was forwarded to Port Alberni's crime reduction unit, who checked and found he was wanted in Alberta. Port Alberni RCMP contacted the BC Fugitive Return Program and Alberta Crown Counsel and subsequently arrested Roney. He
has since been sent back to Alberta.
The BC Fugitive Return Program is managed by the RCMP and a joint team including the Vancouver Police Department and the RCMP. This program is funded by the BC government's civil forfeiture office.
RCMP had dealt with Roney on various matters since July 2011, Banks said, adding that it was likely that he arrived in Port Alberni then.
Port Alberni RCMP tried to use the program last year to return a man to Ontario but the circumstances didn't fit the program's criteria, Banks said. Alberta's proximity to BC and the seriousness of Roney's charge may have better fit the criteria, he added.
Since September 2011, the program has returned 31 individuals from various regions in BC wanted by police in other provinces.
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