The week of Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 was a busy one for the Nakusp RCMP. The detachment received 38 calls for service during the seven day period, said Corporal Ryan Fehler.
“Break and enters and thefts are continuing in the area and police are urging residents to be vigilant in locking up items of value, ensuring vehicles are secured, and keeping an eye out for suspicious people and vehicles,” said Fehler in a media release. Two more thefts of licence plates were reported to police, one at the Halcyon Resort and one in Burton.
“Lots of times they’re used on unlicensed vehicles,” Fehler said about stole plates.
Young pair go on shoplifting spree
Just after noon on Aug. 29 police received a series of shoplifting complaints from local business owners on Broadway Street in Nakusp. Store owners and a witness provided descriptions of a male and female suspected of stealing from different businesses. Although police subsequently arrived and patrols were made, the suspects were not located.
Later that same day, police were told that the same suspects had returned to one of the stores that had robbed. The store owner was able to stop the suspects and keep them onsite until police arrived. One of the brazen youth had re-entered the store wearing merchandise stolen from the same store only hours earlier.
The pair, a 15-year-old male and a 16-year-old female, were arrested taken into custody. Police continued their investigation and determined that they had stolen from at least three local businesses, mostly items of clothing. The two were also found to have stolen miscellany like flashlights and fishing gear from at least three vehicles during the previous night.
As a result, police were able to recover a significant quantity of stolen property valued in excess of $500. The two young people were found to be residents of Vernon and came to Nakusp to visit a family member the day prior. Both suspects were released to a guardian with requirements to attend Court in Nakusp at a later date. Police will be recommending multiple charges of Theft and Possession of Stolen Property against both individuals.
Seasonal
properties
broken into
On August 30 Nakusp RCMP received a report of a B&E to more than one structure on a property in the Rock Island Road area. The culprit(s) forced their way into the structures and recreation vehicles by using a pry bar and kicking in doors. Electronic equipment is believed to have been stolen from the property; evidence was gathered at the scene and police are continuing to investigate.
Later the same day, police were advised of another series of break ins that had occurred to trailers on a recreational property near the Burton area. Three trailers were broken into in a similar fashion to those in the Rock Island Road area. Tools, alcohol, electronics and other household items were stolen from the trailers. Items were taken from the site of the theft for forensic examination.
“We encourage people to keep track of serial items or engrave their phone number on the back of their things,” Fehler told the Arrow Lakes News. Police keep serial numbers in database that can be matched with recovered goods. But for the most part, it’s difficult to track stolen household goods. Some items could make their way to a pawn shop in a bigger centre, but for the most part they’re hard to find once they’re gone.
Anyone who may have information regarding the above mentioned incidents is asked to please contact the Nakusp RCMP or Crimestoppers.
Impaired driver out with
warrants
A call to the Nakusp RCMP on the morning of Sept. 1 tipped off police to a possible impaired driver traveling east on Highway 6 from the Vernon area. A Nakusp officer located the truck between 10 and 10:30 a.m. between Arrow Park and Burton when it went off the highway.
The driver of the vehicle provided a false name to the officer but was eventually identified as a 22-year-old Vernon resident prohibited from driving. The driver was also found to have multiple outstanding arrest warrants for driving offences and being unlawfully at large. Not only that, but the truck he had driven off the road was discovered to be registered to an owner in Edmonton. When contacted, the owner said he and the driver were acquaintances but he had not given consent for him to take the truck.
The driver was arrested and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days subsequent to an immediate roadside prohibition for driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. A bail hearing was conducted and the male suspect was remanded in custody to appear in Vernon Provincial Court on Sept. 3. Police have recommended charges of Driving While Disqualified and Obstructing a Police Officer. Further charges may be recommended in regards to the truck being taken without the consent of the owner.
Slocan Lake RCMP
The Slocan Lake RCMP received 22 calls for service during the past seven days, including the following file of note.
Elderly
impaired driver resists arrest
Just after 9 p.m. on Aug. 26 a Slocan Lake RCMP member pulled over a vehicle observed driving irregularly on Hwy 6 between New Denver and Silverton.
When the officer conducted a check for driver sobriety, it was determined that the driver displayed symptoms of intoxication. A breathalyzer test was given which resulted in a “FAIL” reading. The driver, a 71-year-old Silverton resident, was issued an Immediate Roadside Prohibition prohibiting him from driving for 90 days.
When the driver was advised that his vehicle was going to be impounded for 30 days he became confrontational with the officer and had to be placed under arrest. The driver resisted arrest and the officer had to use physical force to gain control of the male. Both the officer and the driver sustained minor injuries. After both the officer and the driver were checked by medical staff, the driver was released and is scheduled to appear for a first appearance in Nakusp Provincial Court on Oct. 31.
-with files from R.A.Fehler, Corporal, Nakusp RCMP