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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By Sgt. Darren Kakuno
This past week, May 6 through May 12, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 60 calls for service. The following are some of the more notable files our officers responded to.
Stolen truck recovered in Calgary
On May 6, a resident on Black Forest Trail reported that his 2008 white GMC pickup had been stolen sometime overnight with approximately $3,000 worth of tools in the truck. On May 7 the truck was recovered in Calgary.
Bear proof garbage can stolen
On May 6, police received a report of a theft of a large green bear proof garbage can from the Pine Ridge playground in Invermere. The theft likely occurred sometime between April 17-30.
SAR rescue two from Mount Nelson
On May 6, at 2:30 p.m., police were advised of a SPOT activation on Mount Nelson near Panorama (pictured). Two individuals were backcountry skiing when one of them triggered an avalanche. A female sustained injuries and was able to send a message requesting medical assistance. Columbia Valley Search & Rescue were able to retrieve both individuals from the mountain and transport them to a waiting ambulance.
Truck recovered from Canal Flats Transfer Station
On May 6, Columbia Valley RCMP recovered a black Toyota Tundra behind the Canal Flats dump. The truck had been stolen from a repair shop in the industrial area of Invermere on May 1. The truck was processed for forensic evidence. Police continue to investigate.
24-hour driving suspension after crash at Panorama
On May 7, at 11:30 p.m., police responded to a single vehicle collision on Toby Creek Road near the Panorama Fire Hall. A black Volvo XC70 had gone off the road and down an embankment. The driver told police she lost control of her vehicle after swerving for a bear. The driver confirmed she had consumed alcohol prior to driving and was served a 24-hour driving suspension. The driver was uninjured and her passenger sustained minor injuries.
Accessible cannabis in vehicle leads to ticket
On May 8, at about 12:45 p.m., a patrolling officer observed an unlicensed driver operating a Chrysler Neon in Invermere. The officer conducted a traffic stop and upon speaking to the driver and passenger, a controlled substance was observed in the vehicle. Both occupants were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and a search incidental to the arrest revealed a quantity of marijuana in the centre console of the vehicle. Although not an offence to possess cannabis, it cannot be readily accessible to the driver or any passengers and the cannabis must be in its original unopened package. In this case the driver was issued a violation ticket for operating a vehicle with cannabis in it.
Minor injuries in crash that started grass fire near Edgewater
On May 8, at 1:45 p.m., police received a report of a single vehicle collision on Highway 95 south of Edgewater. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was northbound when she lost control of her vehicle and went down an embankment before striking a utility pole. The downed utility pole started a grass fire that was quickly actioned by responding fire departments. The driver sustained minor injuries.
Arrested for breaching conditions and held for court
On May 9, police received a report of an intoxicated male on Highway 93/95 in Windermere. Police patrolled the area and located the individual outside a residence which he had conditions not to attend. The male was arrested for breaching his conditions and held in custody for court.
Cyclist injured and rescued from Mount Swansea
On May 11, shortly before noon, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of an injured mountain biker on Swansea Mountain. Police requested the assistance of Columbia Valley Search & Rescue and BC Ambulance Service who were able to transport the cyclist down the mountain and to the hospital for assessment.
Impaired driver stopped in Invermere
On May 12, at 12:30 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop of a brown GMC Sierra on 7th Avenue in Invermere. Although the driver denied consuming alcohol, the officer could smell an odour of liquor coming from the driver’s breath. The driver failed two roadside breath tests and as a result, was served a 90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition and his vehicle impounded.
Male arrested for mischief and held in cells
On May 12, at 7:15 p.m., police received a report of an individual throwing things inside a residence on Kootenay # 3 Road in Windermere. Police attended and arrested an intoxicated male for mischief. The male was held in cells until sober.
– Sgt. Darren Kakuno is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander
