By Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck

The last week witnessed the Columbia Valley RCMP respond to about 55 calls for service; last year that number was around 60.  The following is a summary of a couple of the more interesting calls.

Stuck in snow, impaired man gets aggressive with peace officers

During the late afternoon hours of February 20 Columbia Valley RCMP received a request from one of the local B.C. Conservation Officers who was attempting to assist a male who got his car stuck in the snow off Highway 93/95.  As the CO was chatting with the 6′ 2″ and 230 pound male he could detect a heavy odour of liquor and there was an open bottle of whiskey on the passenger seat.

The CO, being a provincial Peace Officer, arrested the male and called RCMP for assistance.  The male became aggressive with the CO and tried to depart with some friends who arrived a short time later. The RCMP arrived minutes later and confirmed that they could smell alcohol on the male’s breath and formed the belief that he was impaired and subsequently detained him for an impaired operation investigation.

The male became very belligerent and aggressive towards the responding officers.  He was escorted to the detachment where he continued to be too belligerent and aggressive toward officers to provide breath samples.  As the RCMP were concerned about their safety and the safety of the large male he was kept in custody until he was sober.  RCMP is consulting Crown Counsel on appropriate criminal charges.

Shoplifter given chance by grocer

On February 23, RCMP received a complaint from one of the local grocery stores that a male had stolen merchandise valued at around $100.  The theft was caught on video surveillance and displayed the 28-year-old taking a container of expensive food.  After taking the product and concealing it, the male went to the front counter and paid for an inexpensive beverage and departed the store. The male is well known by local residents and police. The grocer did not wish to proceed with any sort of charges or court proceedings but did want the male spoken with and advised he was banned from the store unless he returned or paid for the item.

Police spoke with the culprit and advised if it happens again he will be going to court.

Assault Causing Bodily Harm charge following Radium melee

During the very early morning hours of February 24, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a bar fight in Radium Hot Springs. The complainant reported that eight males were fighting and they were using bottles for weapons.

As police were en route it was learned that the males moved outside onto the street and had worked their way down the road and were still fighting.

Police soon located the melee and were able to separate and identify everyone. After learning one of the males had been injured during the fight they called for an ambulance and eventually escorted him to Invermere & District Hospital.  The investigation revealed that one of the other males started the fight.

Subsequently, RCMP are recommending charges of Assault Causing Bodily Harm on one of the males who injured the hospitalized male.

– Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck is commander of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

Article Share