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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
The last week witnessed the Columbia Valley RCMP respond to about 40 calls for service; last year that number was around 50. The following is a summary of a couple of the more interesting calls.
No licence, no insurance and three times over legal limit for alcohol
On January 15, at about 5 p.m., RCMP officers were on patrol when they observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign near the Canadian Tire. As the vehicle was being observed it was also noted to fail to stop at another stop sign on Lakeview Drive.
Having seen enough, RCMP conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle and spoke with the driver. As the driver was confronted the RCMP officer could immediately detect a strong odour of liquor coming from the vehicle and from the driver’s breath and further observed that the driver had blood shot eyes, a pale face and police could see that there were empty liquor bottles on the floor of the vehicle.
The driver was subsequently arrested for impaired driving; a background check revealed that he had been already caught for the same thing and at that time he was afforded a 90-day driving prohibition to save him from a criminal record.
This time, the investigator recognized that this behaviour was reckless and there was a previous investigated offence and therefore the RCMP officer demanded that the driver provide samples of his breath for a criminal investigation.
The driver eventually provided two samples, both of which were analyzed at over 200 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood [close to three times the legal limit]. It was also discovered that the driver did not have a driver’s licence nor any insurance on the vehicle. The driver was appropriately charged and the vehicle seized.
Local stung by puppy selling scam on Facebook
During the mid-morning hours of January 16 RCMP received a report of a scam advertisement broadcast over local Facebook accounts that was targeting Invermere residents.
A local resident indicated that she saw an advertisement on Facebook posted by an individual who lived in Invermere who was selling puppies. The resident replied to the ad stating she’d like to purchase a puppy and eventually forwarded an e-transfer of $400 to the individual.
When the resident went to pick up the dog she discovered that the house was vacant and realized that she had been the victim of a fraud. She went on to learn that she was not the only victim.
It is always recommended that you verify what you are purchasing before you send any money and try to speak to the seller in person in order to protect yourself from frauds like this.
Ram struck and killed near Radium
During the evening hours of January 19 Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep ram that was struck by a vehicle and killed about a mile south of Radium Hot Springs on Highway 93/95. RCMP attended and located the deceased ram and dragged it to a safe location. RCMP liaised with the BC Conservation Officer service which also attended and subsequently removed the head of the animal for a DNA sample and tracking of dead sheep.
Impatient driver hits bus
On January 20, at about 9:30 a.m., RCMP was made aware of a motor vehicle incident on Toby Creek Road near Panorama Mountain Resort. The complainant reported that he was operating a loaded passenger bus up to the resort when he was rear-ended by a Mercedes.
The bus driver told police that he was driving up to Panorama in a commercial bus with 20 passengers when a silver Mercedes attempted to pass him but was unable to because of an oncoming vehicle. At the time the bus was slowing to navigate one of the sharp corners and the impatient driver of the Mercedes pulled in behind and, while attempting to pass the bus, clipped the bus damaging it and the Mercedes.
Although the bus driver complained of some minor injuries no passengers on the bus, or any of the occupants of the Mercedes, were hurt.
Cougar struck and killed near Canal Flats
During the early evening hours of January 20 Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that a small car had struck a cougar near Canal Flats. At the time it was uncertain if the cat was still alive. RCMP responded and eventually located the cougar, which was deceased and facilitated its removal.
– Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck is commander of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment