Roy Winter appears in this 2017 photo.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK: Roy Winter
March 26, 2025 - 8:57 AM
A man has been charged with numerous crimes after blocking the William R. Bennett Bridge and threatening to blow it up.
Roy Winter, 61, has been charged after he allegedly blocked the bridge with a van for most of Jan. 27, according to a press release from police.
The bridge was closed for roughly 10 hours in January before traffic could resume. Winter was arrested and taken to hospital after the van blocking the bridge was set on fire.
Winter was taken into custody on March 25 after he was released from the hospital and appeared in court that evening.
He has been charged with arson, making or possessing explosives, use of explosives to cause serious bodily harm possession, possession of incendiary material, mischief endangering life, mischief, nuisance endangering life, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, resisting a peace officer, uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
He is still in custody until his next court date on April 3.
READ MORE: iN VIDEO: Kelowna man who shut Bennett bridge blames RCMP for ruining his life
“This is a well coordinated and sizeable investigation, spearheaded by the Kelowna RCMP’s General Investigative Support Team,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier said in the release. “It is imperative that we protect the ongoing judicial process, with that no further details will be released at this time.”
Winter posted to social media the day the bridge was blocked.
"Inside this vehicle is 60 pounds of highly volatile material that requires nothing more than a stupid human to make a simple mistake and regret their decision," Winter posted to social media. "The doors of this vehicle have been sealed shut so don’t even think that you will be able to open them up, if you try just remember the phrase I will introduce you to GOD at the same time I introduce myself."
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