CRESTON, British Columbia – Clark Patrick Hills, a 50-year-old man with a history of violence, has been charged with assault causing bodily harm in Creston, British Columbia. This marks another incident for Hills, who is reportedly well known to police in the Kootenays. The Southeast District Emergency Response Team (SDERT) assisted local police in tracking Hills down last week after he reportedly committed a violent assault against a woman. When located and challenged by officers, he allegedly fled on foot into a residential area, prompting the RCMP’s canine unit to be called in to assist.
Despite being tracked down by the police dog in an outbuilding, Hills continued to be uncooperative and failed to comply with demands to improve the safety of the situation. As a result, the RCMP says he was “contacted” by the police dog until he complied and was transported to the hospital for minor injuries related to the altercation. Hills has been released on bail but is bound by several release conditions, including not being in Creston or anywhere within a 50-kilometer radius of the town.
S/Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk expressed that this was a dynamic arrest of an individual with an extensive history of violence and fleeing from police. He stated that it was in the absolute interest of the public to get Hills off the streets and into custody. While his release on bail was not the outcome police were hoping for, the “No Go” Creston condition will help to alleviate public safety concerns associated with his behavior in the Creston Valley.
The assistance of the SDERT and RCMP canine unit was praised by Buliziuk for their help in tracking down and arresting Hills. As a result, Hills is no longer welcome in his hometown, and the community can hopefully find some relief from the threat he poses.