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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By Sgt. Darren Kakuno
This past week, May 16 through May 22, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 91 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.
Calgary man arrested for possession of stolen property
On Monday, May 16 at 1:40 a.m., police were advised a GMC Sierra pickup had just been stolen from a residence on 9th Street in Invermere. Officers immediately attended the area and discovered the stolen truck abandoned nearby. A short time later, an officer observed a suspicious vehicle on Black Forest Trail. When the officer tried to stop the vehicle, it fled into a residential neighbourhood. Shortly after, the officer observed an adult male on foot and upon speaking to the male, observed a key chain hanging from the male’s pocket that matched the stolen set of keys for the GMC Sierra.
The adult male from Calgary was arrested for possession of stolen property
The same morning, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that a black 2019 Ford F150 with Alberta license plate CJT7618 had been stolen from Hill Top Road in Windermere. The Ford F150 has not yet been recovered.
During the same evening, three vehicles were reportedly rummaged through. Generally, when the Columbia Valley experiences a rash of thefts from vehicles, the Detachment receives significantly more reports of theft so it is likely the arrest of the male earlier in the morning prevented more thefts from occurring. This is an example of how the timely reporting of suspicious occurrences can prevent further crimes from occurring.
Two injured in crash near Mount Harkin
On Tuesday, May 17 at about noon, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 93 near Mount Harkin in Kootenay National Park. The driver of a southbound Mini Cooper pulled out to pass another vehicle when the driver noticed an oncoming commercial transport truck and had to swerve to avoid a collision.
The driver of the Mini Cooper lost control of her vehicle and rolled into the ditch. The driver and passenger of the Mini Cooper were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Crash at Fairmont causes grass fire; ticket issued for driver failing to remain at the scene
On Thursday, May 19 at about 10 p.m., emergency crews responded to a single vehicle collision on Columbia Lake Road in Fairmont Hot Springs. A black Chevrolet Cruze had driven off the road and subsequently started a small grass fire. The driver had failed to remain at the scene. The Fairmont Fire Department was able to extinguish the grass fire before it could spread. The owner of the car attended the RCMP Detachment later in the day and was issued a violation ticket for failing to remain at the scene.
Signs vandalized
On Friday, May 20 two signs on Panorama Drive in Invermere were reportedly vandalized with graffiti. A can of Beauti-tone “Atlantis Blue 768” and a can of “Quiet Pond Blue” were left at the scene. Anyone with information or that may be missing their blue paint is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP.
Drivers tries to dodge road check; ends up 90-day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition
On Saturday, May 21 at about 12:30 p.m., officers were conducting a road check on Timber Ridge Road in Windermere when they observed a white Jeep attempt to avoid the road check. An officer conducted a traffic stop with the Jeep and upon speaking to the driver, formed suspicion the driver had consumed alcohol. The driver complied with a breath demand and blew two “fails.” As a result, the driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition and the vehicle was impounded for 30-days.
Sgt. Darren Kakuno is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander
