U.S. fugitive wanted on attempted sex assault, kidnapping charges arrested in Creston, B.C.

Creston RCMP have arrested a U.S. fugitive wanted on sex assault and kidnapping charges in Montana. (CBC - image credit)
Creston RCMP have arrested a U.S. fugitive wanted on sex assault and kidnapping charges in Montana. (CBC - image credit)

RCMP in Creston, B.C., say they have arrested a "top priority fugitive" wanted in the United States for alleged sex assault, attempted kidnapping and aggravated assault.

RCMP were made aware that the wanted man, Cole Levine, illegally crossed the border into Canada Friday morning, according to Creston RCMP Staff Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk.

Levine, 24, was arrested later the same day without incident in the 1600-block of Northwest Boulevard in Creston.

Buliziuk said Levine has been transferred to Vancouver for an extradition hearing to be held Tuesday.

Police in Missoula, Mont., say Levine was charged in August 2022 relating to an incident in the city. A nationwide warrant for his arrest was issued when he was deemed "non-compliant with arrest."

Missoula Police Information Officer Whitney Bennett said Levine's bail has been set at $2 million US.

Levine is facing one count each of felony attempted sexual intercourse without consent, felony attempted kidnapping and felony aggravated assault, along with other misdemeanour charges, according to Bennett.

Creston is located around 10 kilometres north of the U.S. border, and around 300 kilometres northwest of Missoula.