A wanted man with a history of violence and drug crimes is at large despite police swarming a property in Osoyoos on Feb. 21.
Andrew Robert Hardenstine is wanted for flight from police, drive while disqualified, drive while prohibited, drive while suspended and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
On Wednesday afternoon, police descended on the property at 100th Avenue in Osoyoos where a recreational vehicle known to belong to Hardenstine had been spotted.
The police response drew officers from every detachment in the South Okanagan, Highway Patrol and the Southeast District RCMP’s Emergency Response Team.
An RCMP helicopter and police dogs were also deployed, however Hardenstine wasn’t found.
“An extensive and thorough search of the entire property including the recreational vehicle, outbuildings and the main residence were searched,” said RCMP spokesperson Sgt Jason Bayda. “Police located and seized a considerable amount of illicit drugs and a loaded firearm, however the search was not successful in locating Hardenstine. We are confident the land owner or residents of the main residence were not party to any offence.”
Hardenstine is known to possess weapons and is considered armed and dangerous. If you see or know of Hardentine’s whereabouts, please call 911 and do not approach him.
“Mr. Hardenstine, for the safety of yourself, the public and police, we are asking you to turn yourself in to the police so that your matters before the courts can be dealt with accordingly,” said Bayda.
Hardenstine’s record includes breaking federal parole conditions, as well as arrests in 2013 and 2018 in the South Okanagan on drugs and firearms charges.
In 2013, he already had 57 previous criminal convictions. He received a three-year jail sentence in that case, after the trial suffered delays when his initial defence lawyer asked to be taken off the case following Hardenstine’s interruptions of the judge.
READ MORE: Prolific offender sentencing interrupted
In 2018, he was arrested with a small arsenal of firearms, including multiple pistols, a home-made style shotgun, a crossbow and numerous rounds of ammunition in addition to drugs.
READ MORE: Small arsenal of weapons, drugs seized from Penticton residence
There is a warrant for Hardenstine for an incident in March of 2023 where he was charged with resisting or obstructing an officer as well as two counts of possession of drugs for trafficking.
Hardenstine is 44 years-old, and is described 5’ 9” tall, weighing about 170 pounds with short brown hair and numerous tattoos. In a police-provided photo, one of the tattoos on his chest appears to be that of an iron cross, a widely regarded hate symbol.
