Fort Smith (Jan 10/05) - A Fort Smith man was arrested on New Year's Eve following a two-day stand-off at Peace Point, Alta.

The 43-year-old at first refused to give himself up to police and threatened to hurt himself.

The man was wanted for sexual assault on Dec. 19 in Fort Smith and for stealing a vehicle.

Flett said a motorist from Fort Chipewyan noticed activity at the Peace Point cabin and knew the owners were not there. Peace Point is Mikisew Cree reserve land, about 150km south of Fort Smith in Wood Buffalo National Park.

Police located the man on Dec. 30 and monitored the cabin until the NWT South district commander Staff Sgt. Bob Gray and trained negotiators with the RCMP's Major Crimes Unit in Yellowknife arrived to provide assistance.

"We didn't want to jeopardize anybody's safety," said Flett.

"This was a safety issue we wanted to deal with properly."

The wanted man left the cabin peacefully following nearly three hours of negotiations.

Cpl. Neil Flett of the Fort Smith RCMP would not elaborate on how the man threatened to harm himself.

However, he denied a media report that he had connected a hose from an exhaust pipe to the interior of the stolen vehicle.

"I've never heard that before," said the officer.

The winter road between Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan remained open during the stand-off. The cabin is about a kilometre off the road. Motorists were notified, however, that a police incident was occurring and travel through the area was not recommended.

The accused is also wanted in Fort St. John, B.C., on a charge of sexual assault dating back to August 2001.

More charges pending

Flett said other charges may be laid as a result of the stand-off.

The accused appeared in Justice of the Peace Court on Jan. 1 and was remanded into custody to await a Jan. 27 appearance in Fort Smith territorial court.