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OTTAWA, Ont. — Police have arrested the co-founder of the Escapade Music Festival, accused of fleeing the country with more than $600,000 from ticket and alcohol sales from the two day electronic music event.
Nick Vachon, 26, was arrested Monday, August 6, in Aruba, and has been brought back to Canada to stand trial. He made a brief court appearance on Wednesday and will be back on court on Friday on charges of theft over $5000 and possession of stolen property over $5000.
Ottawa police constable Marc Soucy told 1310News a number of departments were involved in the arrest and extradition.
“We want to thank our by our partners including the Crown Attorney’s Office, Canadian Department of Justice, INTERPOL, International Assistance Group (IAG), the Aruban Police and Aruban Prosecutors Office and RCMP Air Services Unit.”
The arrest allows Michael O’Farrell, one of Vachon’s former partners, to move on with his business, and his life.
“All of us are very relieved that this is finally coming to an end,” Vachon told 1310News. “It’s been a hard ordeal for us, from a business standpoint and personally, so we’re really relieved that we will finally be able to get some closure.”
Vachon, along with hundred of thousands of dollars in proceeds, had been missing since July 2 – the day after the festival. He had been seeing loading a large box into a rented car, which was later found at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal.
O’Farrell said he and his other partners have been in touch with their creditors and suppliers, who have been understanding since the theft, but they have not been told when the money, or what’s left of it, will be returned.
