By Cpl. Louis-Philippe Gendron-Fafard

This past week, April 23 through to April 29, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 59 calls for service. Here are a few examples of some of the files that were dealt with by our officers this week.

On the hunt for uninsured vehicle

On April 24, officers received a report of a white Chevrolet pickup truck driving without insurance in Edgewater. Patrols were made on that day and a pattern was established based on other complaints received. Officers will be paying close attention to Edgewater for that vehicle in the coming days. The violation ticket for driving without insurance is $598 in British Columbia.

Honest person leaves note on vehicle after collision

On April 27, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a vehicular collision at Eileen Madison Elementary School in Invermere. The complainant indicated that her vehicle was hit while she was inside the school. A note was left on the windshield with a phone number. Once police became involved all parties were able to exchange their information. In the case of a collision in British Columbia, you have the obligation to share your license plate and your driver license number with the other parties.

Aggressive dump truck driver in KNP

On April 27, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a driver of a dump truck driving aggressively southbound in Kootenay National Park. The complainant provided numerous examples on how the dump truck driver was attempting to force vehicles onto the shoulder so that he could pass them. The complainant obtained photographs of the vehicle and a description of the driver. The investigator will be following up with the trucking company with a violation ticket unless the driver is identified.

Breach of release act leads to impaired charge

On April 28, officers received a call for an unwanted person in Canal Flats. The caller indicated that a female was bound by a release document and was not supposed to be in contact with him. Upon arrival, the officers located the female in her vehicle, sitting in the driver seat without the engine running. The female displayed many signs of intoxication and was subsequently arrested for the breach of the release document and the investigator also requested sample of her breath as we had care and control of the vehicle. The female provided a sample that was higher than the provincial set limit. The female now has a 90-day driving prohibition, her vehicle was impounded for 30 days and a new day in court for the Breach of the Release documents.

First responders attend hotel alarms

On April 29, Columbia Valley RCMP members received a 911 call from the Best Western Invermere Inn and responded along with the Invermere Fire Department as there was a simultaneous fire alarm. Officials spoke with the staff at the location and identified that the alarm was false as they were having some issue with one of the boilers. All guests were allowed back to their rooms once the Invermere Fire department confirmed that there was no active fire.

Deer injured in collision

On April 29, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report from a driver on Highway 93/95, near one of the rest stops just south of Fairmont Hot Springs, that he had just struck a deer. The driver added that the deer had caused only a dent on his sedan and that it was still drivable. The deer had a broken leg from the accident but was able to run into the woods nearby. Officers did not locate the deer after this incident.

Indian Beach Estates B&E

On April 29, officers received a report of a break and enter to a summer residence near Indian Beach Estate in Windermere. The culprit(s) stole various type of liquor, an air soft firearm, a Kawasaki Super Sherpa KM1250 motorcycle, dark green in colour and a set of golf clubs in a Taylor Made golf bag that was orange and white in colour.

Through the officer’s investigation, the offence likely happened on April 27, as a male was observed on that day between 5 and 6 p.m. The investigation is still ongoing.

Any assistance from the public on this matter would be gladly appreciated with information relating to the location of the items or the identity of the person(s) responsible for the offences. Contact the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crime Stoppers with any available information by quoting Columbia Valley File 2018-843.

Have a safe week everyone!

– Cpl. L-P. Gendron-Fafard is a member of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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