Columbia Valley RCMP Report

By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac

At 9 p.m. on Nov. 25, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment received a complaint of assault when a 33-year-old male from Invermere was invited to meet some people on Westside Road near Radium Hot Springs. The victim was interviewed at the Invermere and District Hospital at which time he advised that three males he was able to identify had met up with him as planned and then the three males proceeded to assault him. The investigation is continuing and charges of assault are anticipated.

Licensed marijuana plot stolen

On Nov. 26, Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of break, enter and theft at a residence in Radium. The owner of the residence has a licence to grow marijuana. Marijuana, a laptop computer and wallet were stolen.

The investigation is continuing.

Injured deer could not be found

At 5:48 p.m. on Nov. 30, the detachment received a complaint of an injured deer in the area of Eacrett Road, near Radium, that appeared to have been struck by a vehicle. Patrols for the injured deer were negative.

Vehicle with keys in ignition stolen

At 3:20 a.m. on Dec. 1, while work was being done at the Subway restaurant in Athalmer, a 2000 Toyota Echo was left parked outside with the keys in the ignition. The vehicle was stolen. Local detachments were advised of the theft. Investigation is continuing.

Accident check at far end of patrol range negative

At 4:50 p.m. on Dec. 1, Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of a single vehicle accident on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park near the Alberta border. Police attended and failed to locate the vehicle.

Another accident shortly after

While police were in Kootenay National Park searching for a reported accident at 5:14 p.m. on Dec. 1, a report of another single vehicle accident, involving a 2007 Toyota Rav 4 in the ditch was received. The vehicle was located; however, the driver had left the area. No serious damage to the vehicle.

Police observed a number of vehicles that went off the road in Kootenay National Park. Road conditions were poor. As the vehicles that were observed off the road were not a traffic hazard they were marked and left for the owners to arrange a tow.

Slippery conditions cause another accident near Fairmont

At 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 2, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a single vehicle accident two km north of Fairmont Hot Springs on Hwy 93/95.

A 2007 Pontiac driven by an adult female from Fairmont was north bound and entered the south-side ditch.

Minor damage to the vehicle. No injuries to the driver. Road conditions were slippery at the time. Cst. Myers backed up the driver’s opinion of the road conditions when at three km an hour while turning almost put it in the ditch.

I forgot

I left Northern Ontario 38 years ago and it became very clear that I forgot how cold the winters can be.

While stationed in Salmon Arm I was tasked with flying to Kenora, Ontario to pick up a prisoner in the middle of winter. Fellow was picked up in Ontario on our warrant. By law, we have six days to pick up the prisoner.

This prisoner made it clear to the prison guards that the police would not come all the way from British Columbia. He would sit in jail for six days then be let out. He advised the guards that this has happened before. Off I go to Kenora with my normal winter wear for Salmon Arm. No proper foot wear, warm clothes or winter jacket. Fur hat, packed in some box at home.

Soon as I got off the plane the severe cold hit me and I realized what a dummy I was for not preparing.

The OPP fellow meeting me was bundled up in a storm jacket, well prepared for the winter night. I had not experienced cold like I did that day, and now I had to uphold the tough reputation as a Mountie and ensure I didn’t let it be seen that I was suffering. The next morning I’m off to the prison to pick up my prisoner. The guards were rather pleased to see me as they yelled over to the prisoner, “You know that fellow that you said would not be coming to pick you up, well he’s here.”

We flew back to a warmer, gentler winter.

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