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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac
The Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment responded to 43 calls for service over the weekend; the majority fuelled by alcohol.
Fraud Alert
Detachment is still hearing from the public of the more aggressive fraud tactic of the people phoning stating they are from Canada Revenue. Demand is you are in arrears and if you donāt send money the police will be coming and put you in jail. The elderly and vulnerable are targeted. If you have concerns that anyone in your family or group of friends should be aware of this have a discussion with them.
Early morning disturbance in Edgewater
At 3 a.m. on July 17, police attended to a disturbance complaint at a residence in Edgewater. One of the adult males voluntarily departed the area and was provided a ride into Radium Hot Springs. No further police involvement was required.
Assault, conditions breach charges
At 4 a.m. on July 18, as a result of a complaint of assault and breach conditions on Wolf Crescent, police will be following up with charges of assault and breach against a 25-year-old male as a result of him attending to a residence and making contact with a female that he was under conditions to have no contact with stemming from charges that occurred in Kelowna.
Cell sleep for aggressor
In the late evening of July 18, Cst. Myers, while conducting foot patrols near the bars in town, happened across a 28-year-old intoxicated male challenging another male to fight. The other male refused to fight at which time the intoxicated male advised he would count to three then punch the male in the face. The male counted to two at which time Cst. Myers beat him to the count of three by arresting and lodging the male in cells for the night.
Assault and drunk in public
At 2:20 a.m. on July 18, Cst. Myers interjected in a second alcohol fueled fight in front of Buds Bar and arrested a 20-year-old male from Invermere for assault and drunk in public. No charges were requested in regard to the assault. The male was released in the morning with a ticket for being drunk in public.
Unlocked car sprayed with fire extinguisher
At 4 p.m. on July 18, the detachment received a report of mischief as a result of a fire extinguisher sprayed inside a ā96 Saturn left unlocked in the 300 block of 4th Ave.
Unlocked vehicles plundered
At 4 p.m. on July 18, the detachment received a report of theft from two unlocked vehicles in the Industrial Park. An autographed Vancouver Canucks jersey was stolen from one vehicle along with a stereo system stolen out of second vehicle. The woofer and amp are considered a high value. Owner of the Canucks jersey is of the opinion the value is very high. Value is in the eye of the beholder. Anyone with information is requested to contact the detachment.
Drunk in public
At 5 a.m. on July 19, a highly intoxicated female who had departed Fairmont Hot Springs Resort was located walking down the middle of Fairmont Road. Attempts to persuade the 33-year-old female to be returned to friends failed. She stayed the night with new friends at the detachment and released the next morning with a ticket for being drunk in public.
Know your rights
The Canadian Charter of Rights spells out your rights when arrested and many of our repeat customers seem to know them pretty well.
I recall a conversation with another officer years ago who related the following Charter challenge where an officer in a small detachment had to make a decision based on the prisonerās rights.
In our smaller detachments the cell blocks are close to the main office and at times the doors are open to be able to listen and look in on the prisoner. Small community, we also are on a first name bases with our regular clients.
In the story related, the prisoner was simply lodged in for drunk; however, he demanded a phone call to his lawyer. It was explained that he was not being charged with anything and phoning a lawyer was not going to be of any assistance. Prisoner wanted his call. Privacy was given and he made his call.
When the call was completed he was returned to his cell. Shortly after the call a pizza delivery was made to the detachment front counter and the person making the delivery of course asked who ordered the pizza and produced the bill. The officer proceeded to explain that he obviously got the wrong address as no one ordered a pizza. In the back the prisoner yells āI ordered the pizza, take the money from my wallet and pay him.ā Being kind hearted the prisoner shared his meal with the officer.
