By Sgt. Darren Kakuno

This past week, May 13 through May 19, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 89 calls for service. The following are some of the more notable files our officers responded to.

90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition

On May 13 at 10:30 p.m., a police officer was patrolling in Radium Hot Springs when he noticed a vehicle backing onto a lawn near East Main Street and Redstreak Park Drive. The officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. Although the driver denied consuming any alcohol, the officer was able to smell an odour of liquor coming from the driver as well as other indicators of alcohol impairment. The driver submitted to a roadside breath demand, which resulted in a fail. As a result, the driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition and her vehicle was impounded.

Rock chucked through concession stand window

On May 14, the Eagle Ranch Golf course in Invermere reported someone had thrown a rock through the window of a concession stand. Nothing appeared to be missing. Video surveillance is being reviewed in an attempt to identify those responsible.

Close call for local with phone scam

On May 16 an individual attended the Columbia Valley RCMP to report a scam, which the individual fell victim to. The individual explained about three months ago a message appeared on his computer prompting him to pay $500 for firewall protection, which he paid. On May 15 he received a call, presumably from the same company, which advised him they were going out of business so they were going to reimburse him the $500 he had previously paid. Later the same day he noticed a deposit of $50,000 in his bank account. He received another call explaining the company had made a mistake and inadvertently deposited $50,000 and he would have to return these funds. The individual was in the process of sending $50,000 to an account in Thailand when his bank stopped him and told him this was a scam. The victim has since changed all his passwords and will be taking measures to safeguard his computer.

May long weekend wrap

Over the course of the May long weekend Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 16 complaints of youth consuming liquor in a public place, nine noise complaints, six disturbances and five driving complaints. In addition, two individuals were arrested for being intoxicated in a public place and held in cells until sober.

– Sgt. Darren Kakuno is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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