A 39-year-old Vancouver Island man with a violent history is in custody after allegedly assaulting his spouse and grandfather on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt over the weekend.
Local police were notified of an elderly man — who appeared to be injured — trying to flag down traffic on the side of Highway 5 near Merritt on May 12.
When officers arrived, they found a 39-year-old man and his spouse parked on the side of the highway, along with the man’s grandfather who was following the pair in his own vehicle.
The couple was travelling from Alberta back to Vancouver Island when they got into a fight in the car, forcing the woman to pull over on the highway, said Staff. Sgt. Lorne Wood.
Once stopped, the male suspect’s 91-year-old grandfather attempted to intervene in the dispute and was also allegedly assaulted by the suspect.
“The suspect then obtained a pair of pliers and began to damage his grandfathers ‘68 Mustang,” said Wood.
Officers arrested the suspect, who now faces charges of assault with a weapon and mischief to property.
“The accused has a violent history and police are attempting to have him held in custody.,” Wood said.
He will make an appearance this week in Kamloops.
