NANAIMO, B.C. - Twenty seven squatters who took over a boarded-up elementary school in Nanaimo, B.C., have been arrested and face charges.

RCMP say it began Friday when the group breached a rear door at Rutherford Elementary School but police didn't move in because they weren't sure about the squatters intentions or if any of them had weapons.

A Vancouver Island Tactical Response Unit, police emergency response team, police dog services and other officers entered the building on Saturday and began arresting people.

Police say in a news release that they had to use a city fire truck with an extension ladder to arrest some of the people on the school's roof.

Most of those arrested were processed over the weekend and released on the promise to appear in court to face charges of break and enter and mischief.

One man remains in custody and was due to appear in court on Tuesday on an outstanding warrant that he has on other criminal matters.