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(ASHLEY LEGASSIC - REPORTER / iNFOnews.ca)
August 22, 2018 - 3:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - A man who allegedly barricaded himself inside a downtown Kamloops restaurant earlier this month is facing another charge in connection to a separate incident.
Justin Braden Hodge is now facing one charge of arson damaging property in relation to a grassfire on June 18 in Aberdeen, according to court documents. The charge states Hodge allegedly "intentionally or recklessly cause(d) damage by fire or explosion to property" in grasslands near the intersection of Highway 5A and Aberdeen Drive.
Although the incident happened in June, the charge was laid on Monday, Aug. 20.
Hodge is also facing four charges in connection to a standoff that shut down a downtown Kamloops Denny's restaurant and surrounding streets for more than 10 hours on Aug. 2. Court documents show those charges include attempting to rob a person, committing mischief by wilfully damaging or destroying windows at the Denny's, carrying or having a knife in his possession, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to the same person he allegedly attempted to rob.
At the time of the incident, Kamloops RCMP said a threat sparked the evacuation and closure of the restaurant, leaving the suspect on his own in the building. Negotiators spent much of the day trying to coax the suspect out, and eventually were able to arrest him.
When police attended, the suspect had closed all of the blinds in the restaurant and only exited the restaurant once before his arrest. Police stated he was allegedly brandishing a knife at that point, and the suspect headed back into the restaurant.
Hodge is scheduled to appear in court for both matters next month.
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