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A man who really can’t hold his drink
Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By Cpl. Grant Simpson
On August 30, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Columbia Valley RCMP were outside a local liquor establishment in Invermere, as there were fights reported there. While watching the patrons hanging around outside, police observed an intoxicated man urinating beside a black truck that was parked directly in front of this bar.
Police spoke with the male who was identified as a local. He was very intoxicated and therefore arrested for causing a disturbance and for being intoxicated in a public place for his own safety.
Police also noticed that the male was limping. He advised police that he had sprained his ankle earlier. The male was lodged in detachment cells for the night until sober. He was belligerent in cells and urinated again against the cell door. Police queries revealed that the male had been placed on conditions not to consume alcohol related to a previous offence. The male was released the following morning with a court date in November. Upon his release police noticed that the male had a swollen ankle, so provided him with a ride to the Invermere & District Hospital.
Suspicious male call leads to pot bust
On August 29 at 11:08 p.m., A female residing in the 4700 block of River Drive in Fairmont Hot Springs called the RCMP to report a suspicious male who knocked on her door and asked how to get to Radium Hot Springs. The female reported the male to be wearing camouflage clothing and had a flashlight.
Police attended the area and quickly located the male walking in front of the Farside Pub in Fairmont. Police explained to the male that they had received a complaint of a suspicious person fitting his description, knocking on doors. The male identified himself and claimed to be lost and didn’t know how to get back to the highway so he knocked on the door.
Police conducted checks and determined that the male had an unendorsed warrant for arrest out of Saanich. Police arrested and searched the male incidental to arrest, and located a zip lock baggie containing marijuana. The male was then arrested for possession of a controlled substance as well. Investigation is ongoing with this case.
A heck of a mess
On August 30, at approximately 2:35 a.m., Columbia Valley RCMP observed a black Cadillac Escalade driving east bound on 13th Street in Invermere. Police noted a Caucasian male with a plaid shirt not wearing his seatbelt. So police stopped the black 2007 Cadillac Escalade in front of the Legion. The male driver stepped out and walked to the back of the Cadillac. The male was staggering, slurring his words, he had bloodshot eyes, and he smelled of alcohol. The male provided what he thought was his driver’s licence but in fact was his bank card. The male identified himself and advised that he was from Calgary, Alta. Police later learned that the male had lied about his name and birthdate. His proper identification and birthdate were obtained and confirmed.
While roadside, police read the breath demand to the male who kept saying that he did not understand, no matter how many times police explained the demand to him. He was given several chances to provide a breath sample but remained extremely uncooperative. As a result the male was arrested for refusal and for obstruction and was taken back to the Columbia Valley Detachment for processing. His vehicle was also impounded. At 10:55 a.m. the male was released with a 90-day notice of driving prohibition for refusal and a 30-day vehicle impound notice.
Collision with deer on Athalmer hill
At approximately 10:25 a.m. on August 30, Columbia Valley RCMP were driving northbound up Athalmer hill when they observed a large deer jump off the side of the road and run directly in front of a grey Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma was clearly driving under the speed limit of 50km/h but, despite the dry conditions and clear weather, was not able to stop in time and hit the animal, which then ran off in the woods. Large debris was moved from the road. The female driver was shaken up and felt bad for the animal; however, was still able to drive her vehicle home as damage to it was minimal.
Cocaine in the alleyway
On August 31, at approximately 1:40 a.m., Columbia Valley RCMP was conducting foot patrols in the alleyway behind and beside a local liquor establishment on 13th Street in Invermere. Police were walking from the back of the bar to the front along the west alleyway when they heard two people talking and found them to be just sitting down on the steps located in front of the side exit to the bar.
Police stayed hidden approximately three to five feet away from the male and female who were later identified as Calgary residents. Police could see the two from around the side of the building. The female spoke about how she did a line of cocaine and she is not feeling that great from it. The male said that he would like to do a line and the female said that she had some. Police looked around the side of the building and saw the female pass a small baggy to the male.
Police walked around the corner and told both that they were under arrest. The male palmed the baggy of cocaine and pretended like he didn’t have anything. Police told him that they saw the baggy which the male then gave to police. The male was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and the female for trafficking in a controlled substance. Both were transported to the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment where they were lodged in cells due to their level of intoxication. They were released the following morning when sober with a court date in November 2014.
Smashing partygoer busted
On September 1, at 2:41 a.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that there were a bunch of drunk people yelling on the 15th Street and 10th Avenue in Invermere.
The complainant told police dispatch that the drunk partygoers had previously attended a party at a house on the street. Police attended the area and located four young people standing on the road. As police approached this group they observed a male throw a liquor bottle. Police told the male to retrieve the bottle, which was broken on a driveway. The male cleaned up the broken glass and was issued a violation ticket for consuming liquor in a public place, under sec 40(1) of the LCLA. All young partygoers then left.
Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 93 calls for service over the past week and Labour Day weekend. A few of the more noteworthy calls were highlighted herein.
