By Cpl. Grant Simpson

Columbia Valley RCMP had a quieter week responding to 53 calls for service. Despite the reduced number of calls we were still kept busy by the nature of the call types. I’ve highlighted a few interesting calls below.

Spitting incident in Fairmont

On September 9, at 3:47 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of assault from a 40-year-old Canal Flats woman who advised an unknown female accompanied by a male driving a red Alberta registered Ford pickup had spit in her face while she was at the Subway in Fairmont Hot Springs during lunch.

The victim added that she had been confronted by the female (in her late 20s Caucasian female, with brown hair in ponytail wearing a hoody) inside the Subway after she had walked around their aggressive dog that had been next to her vehicle in the parking lot.

Police responded to the report and spoke with the victim who advised that the incident had been unprovoked. Police checked on possible surveillance video of the incident but upon attending the business and speaking with the manager determined there was none. Despite this police continue to investigate the incident and charges are anticipated.

Pub break in caught on camera

On September 9 the owner of a well-established business phoned the RCMP to report a break and enter to the Whitehouse Hotel located on Sinclair Street, in Windermere. Police attended and discovered that a window on the east side of the building, which faces north, was ripped completely out of the building. Access to the building was made and a single case (24 beer) of Budweiser was stolen out of the main cooler. Two internal doors were damaged, one pried open, the other kicked in. The suspect, who was captured on video, is a white male who appeared to be in his 30s to 40s. The window was seized for processing and the video will be circulated to staff in hopes of identifying the male. Investigation into this incident is ongoing.

MIV near hot pools

On September 11, at 12:41 p.m., Police were dispatched to Highway 93 at Radium Hot Springs, just before the hot pools, for a two-vehicle MVI.

A 37-year-old Cranbrook man was driving his 2002 Chevy Tracker westbound when he struck the rear of a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. Several vehicles were slowing as there were bighorn sheep on the road. There was minimal damage to both vehicles; however, there here were marks in the plastic on the Sonata’s bumper from the impact. Very little damage was noted to the Tracker, as it had damage from a previous encounter with a grouse. Both drivers exchanged information for their insurance companies.

Fairmont B&E

On September 11, at 6:36 p.m., dispatch reported a break and enter into a residence located in the 4800 block of Wills Road in Fairmont Hot Springs. The complainant and owner, a 52-year-old Calgary man, reported that he had been away from the residence for about two weeks. Police attended and determined the point of entry was through the back basement door. It appeared that a pry bar had been used. There was minimal damage as the lock was a simple door handle.

In the kitchen the cupboard doors and drawers were left open. A pry bar and an empty Aquafina 500ml bottle was left on the counter. The owner advised that it was from their recycling bin. He advised the following was missing: 20 lb. bbq propane tank, two pellet guns (.22 calibre Canadian Tire brand and a .177), partial bottle of Captain Morgan’s Rum, case of beer from fridge, a bed pillow with a grey cover, and a grey garbage bin with empties. Approximate loss was $500. The point of exit was the sliding glass side door located on the west side of the house. Investigation into this incident is on going.

Should’ve walked

On September 12, police were conducting patrols in Windermere as they were aware of a recent break and enter at the Whitehouse Hotel located on Sinclair Ave.

Police saw a vehicle pulling out of the back of the pub, which was dark, leading them to believe that the bar was closed. Police pulled over the vehicle bearing Alberta licence plates to check on the driver and to ascertain his reason for being at the bar.

Once the vehicle was stopped, the driver, a 48-year-old Calgary man, literally slid out of the pickup truck and subsequently had a hard time standing without assistance. Police could smell an odor of alcohol and after speaking with the driver, who admitted to consuming two beers, the ASD demand was read, understood and accepted.

Police obtained two samples of breath using two separate ASDs. Both samples registered a FAIL and were shown to the driver who was subsequently issued a 90-day driving prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impoundment. A local tow company attended and impounded the vehicle. The driver was offered a ride home but he decided to walk as he was staying two blocks away.

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