The Port Alberni RCMP arrested an Alberta fugitive wanted on many warrants on Feb. 19.
Sean Roney had several outstanding warrants for his arrest from Alberta, which included two counts of sexual assault and five counts of breach of probation. The charges stem from incidents which occurred in 2011.
Strathmore RCMP Cpl. Stephen Browne said the warrant for Roney’s arrest was issued on June 15, 2011.
Roney was identified as a candidate for the B.C. Fugitive Return Program by the Port Alberni RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit.
Roney’s return to Strathmore, Alta. to face prosecution on his outstanding charges was funded and facilitated by the B.C. Fugitive Return Program, in cooperation with the Port Alberni RCMP Detachment.
Roney was escorted back to Alberta by the B.C. Sheriff Service, a key partner of the B.C. Fugitive Return Program.
“Roney was processed by the RCMP when he returned from B.C.,” Browne said.
Roney is due back in Strathmore Alberta Provincial Court on March 19.
Port Alberni RCMP were unavailable to offer more details on the arrest.
The B.C. Fugitive Return Program is a program managed by the RCMP and a joint management team consisting of the Vancouver Police Department and the RCMP.
Since September 2011, the B.C. Provincial Fugitive Return Program has facilitated the return of 31 individuals from various regions in B.C. wanted by other provinces across Canada.
The program was created to hold individuals currently residing in British Columbia who have out of province arrest warrants accountable for their actions.
It is hoped that facilitating the return of these individuals to deal with their outstanding matters will bring some measure of resolution to their victims.
This program is funded by the Civil Forfeiture Office within the B.C. government. On Feb. 15, 2012, the Government of B.C., the RCMP, all B.C/ Municipal Police Agencies and the B.C. Sheriff Service signed a memorandum of understanding which led to the establishment of a protocol governing the program.
