Columbia Valley RCMP Report

On August 21, at 10:44 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received dispatch of a noise complaint near 4962 Hot Springs Road, Fairmont Hot Springs. The complainant reported loud music and staff partying at the staff housing area for Fairmont Resort. The issue has been ongoing and this has been reported before. While enroute another call was received from a different complainant who also reported excessive noise from the staff building. On attendance by police everyone had already departed the area. It was found out that everyone had recently left and were probably at the Farside Pub. This has been brought up with Fairmont Resort several times in the past by residents of Fairmont. In this instance the subjects were not located upon police arrival.

Stolen bikes/quad recovered near Spillimacheen

On August 23, at 11:30 p.m. members of the Columbia Valley RCMP attended to a residence situated on Galena School Road, Spillamacheen, on an unrelated curfew check file for the probation office. As a result of justified and legal circumstances members checking an east hillside for a subject came across two dirt bikes and one quad hidden under camouflage a minimum 40 meters east of the fenced yard. The quad VIN had been ground off and as of writing still needs to be verified through Yamaha Canada however the motor bikes were confirmed as stolen. A 2009 Yamaha 450F reported stolen on July 17, 2012 out of Lake Enid and a 2007 Kawasaki KX65 stolen on July 6, 2012 out of Cranbrook were both recovered. This file is still under investigation.

Westside Road accident investigated

On August 24, at 6:50 a.m. Columbia Valley RCMP was notified by dispatch of a single vehicle rollover on Johnston Road, 100 metres west of Westside Road intersection in Invermere.  RCMP attended with BC Ambulance and the Invermere Fire Department was already on scene. There were no persons around, and the immediate and surrounding area was checked.

A vehicle was on its side in the shallow creek, submerged about six inches. It was gleaned that a male and female came into the hospital with facial injuries at around 3 a.m., advised they had been in a vehicle collision; but the hospital did not advise RCMP at that time Warbrick towing was contacted for removal and the registered owner was contacted and attended. The male driver received stitches to his forehead and the female passenger received a couple cracked ribs and a bloody nose. Continuity was the main issue with the police investigation due to the large amount of time that had elapsed. Alcohol was a factor. A violation ticket was issued for failure to remain at scene of accident.

Boozy Fairmont snoozer tagged

On August 24, at 6:45 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP responded to a report of an impaired driver in Fairmont Hot Springs. Members attended the location and were told that the driver of a black Ford extended cab pickup truck is being driven by an intoxicated male. The members were advised where he was camped and upon attendance found an adult male passed out behind the wheel of the truck. The lone male had a half full beer in his left hand and the gear shifter in his right. The keys were in the ignition in the off position. The male was awoken by police and the male was detained for care and control of a motor vehicle. The subject was taken back to the Columbia Valley Detachment for breath samples where he was provided the opportunity to speak with legal aid in privacy, after which he provided two breath samples which were both 150 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood, just under twice the legal limit.

Suspect antagonist slingshot from Red Streak Campground

On August 25 the Red Streak Campground in Radium Hot Springs phoned the RCMP. It was reported that there was a drunk man shooting a sling shot at people. Members of the Columbia Valley RCMP attended and spoke with the primary suspect who said that he was shooting a sling shot but never shot it at anyone. A witness was spoken with who advised that the suspect male started yelling at a woman and called her an explicative, then got out of his chair and shot a rock from his sling shot across the road hitting the building only feet from the female victim. The female camper/victim confirmed that this was what happened and that she was very afraid that the suspect male would return.  It was decided by the Columbia Valley RCMP that the suspect male be evicted from Red Streak Campground campsite to prevent further issues. The male suspect was upset and refused to admit anything to police, however left his camp site after being evicted under the National Parks Act.

Lake Windermere boat patrol

On August 25, Columbia Valley RCMP conducted boat patrols in on Lake Windermere in Windermere. Members were checking boats and occupants for compliance under the Canada Shipping Act.  Members checked approximately 30 boats over the course of 4.5 hours.  A positive response was received from boaters. Most people were in compliance with a few exceptions. Two written warnings were issued for failure to produce a pleasure craft licence and not having a fire extinguisher. The main issue on the lake was people on paddle boards in the open water without life jackets. It appears that people are unaware that when on a paddle board they are required to wear a PFD. Members utilized this opportunity to educate people on the water. Approximately 12 verbal warnings given to people on paddle boards without PFDs. Members were visible to upwards of 75 boats as well as seen by approximately 400 people on 15 different beaches.

Buds bounced assaulted

On August 26, 1:33 a.m., members of the Columbia Valley RCMP were on foot patrol at Buds Bar (722 13th St) Invermere. A group of males came rolling out the front door of the bar and appeared to be fighting. Members broke up the fight and a local known male was detained for assault. The arrested male stated that he had entered the bar and saw his friend fighting. He saw a bouncer jump on his friends back and this male punched the bouncer in the face.  This local male has been banned from Buds bar for one year. Please keep in mind not to fight with bouncers who are legally engaged to keep a handle on their premises.

A sign of the times

At 8:41 p.m. on August 26 Columbia Valley RCMP was notified of a suspicious male at the Tim Hortons in Invermere. The SOC male was in the restaurant bothering customers, talking to himself and walking. The male had been inside for 1.5 hours. A second caller contacted police to report the male’s behavior as disturbing and the male could possibly be a threat to himself or others. Police were not able to attend right away as they were dealing with a priority file. Finally upon police attendance the male was noted seated in the corner. He appeared very agitated and would stare at police with an angry, then confused look, refusing to provide his name. Police asked the male to gather his belongings several times to go speak outside but the male would stand still and stare at police. The male was arrested for obstruction and causing a disturbance. The male was escorted outside rambling about stuff that police could not understand. A restaurant patron informed police that the male has been at the restaurant since noon. Police transported the male to the detachment where he was singing in the back of the police car. The male was placed in cells where he continued to act strangely, dancing and rambling. Police contacted the hospital as there were concerns regarding his mental health; no records existed on this male. The male was to be kept in custody pending his status in the morning where he could be transported to the hospital for evaluation under the Mental Health Act if his behavior remained unchanged.  The male was fine by the morning and released to family. Officers, after doing some on- line research, felt that the male was possibly experiencing crystal meth withdrawal as from actions observed in cells. Unfortunately a sign of the times.

Financial elder abuse

Columbia Valley RCMP wishes to remind people that a form of elder abuse is the repeated request for financial assistance by children or grandchildren from their elders.  It is understandable that there are times in which we may wish to assist our family if they have fallen upon hard times and some people have the financial ability to do this without affecting their retirement savings. Unfortunately good-will can be taken advantage of repeatedly to the point that the savings put aside by an elder are severely compromised. Younger family members can intimidate through guilt or fear of abandonment.  If you are being victimized or know someone who is a victim in this regard, you may report it to the Columbia Valley RCMP and options can be discussed.

The Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment fielded 70 calls for service from August 21 to August 28.

Cpl. Brent AYERS,

Columbia Valley RCMP

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