Submitted by Robson Valley RCMP
In an effort to better keep the community informed the Robson Valley Regional RCMP will be providing weekly press releases to the local papers. The list is not inclusive of all calls of service the local RCMP detachments receive, but provides a cross section of what is happening in the Robson Valley.
On Nov. 5th, McBride RCMP responded to a theft complaint at the new cell tower being constructed at Little Lasalle Lake, near Crescent Spur. A power generator valued at $22,000 was taken from the worksite. Anyone who might have witnessed any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area, is asked to contact the McBride Detachment at (250)569-2255 or Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477).
From Nov. 6th to 10th, McBride RCMP responded to several break and enters. Police attended to Gibbs Custom Saw Mill and Midget Mills both located on Museum Road where suspects gained entry into the outbuildings on the properties. Attendance was also made to the Charlie Leek Airport where forced entry was gained into an airplane hangar. Stolen from these premises were a wheel barrow, first aid kit, assorted tools, a tool box and a tool chest. Anyone who might have witnessed any suspicious persons or vehicles in these areas, is asked to contact the McBride Detachment at (250)569-2255 or Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477).
During the evening of Nov. 8th, McBride RCMP attended to the North Country Restaurant to assist the McBride Volunteer Fire Department and local EHS personnel with a large structural fire. All occupants in the adjacent motel were immediately evacuated, but thankfully the fire never spread to this building. The restaurant was destroyed in the blaze and further investigation is currently being conducted by the BC Fire Commissioner.
During the early evening of Nov. 8th, RCMP members in Valemount were on patrol when they discovered an elderly male passed out drunk on the road near the Co-op Cardlock. Considering commercial vehicle traffic was quite heavy at the time, thankfully the man was not run over by a vehicle. Police immediately took him into custody for being drunk and after making suicidal comments to the officers, this man was transported to hospital in McBride for an assessment under the Mental Health Act by medical personnel. The male was later lodged in cells until he sobered up and was then released the following day.
While on patrol during the early morning of Nov. 9th, Valemount RCMP stopped a pickup truck after the officer noticed that its tail lights weren’t on. The officer noticed an odour of liquor on the driver’s breath and subsequently read a demand to the driver requesting that he provide a breath sample in a roadside screening device. The driver was issued a 3-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition after he blew a “warn” on the instrument. The pickup was not impounded, however the driver was given a ride home by the officer.
On the evening of Nov. 9th, Valemount RCMP members responded to a possible impaired driver along Highway 16 near Rearguard Falls. Police immediately attended to the area at which time they found a broken down Dodge SUV abandoned partially in the travel lane of the highway with the driver no longer at the scene. Police found open beer bottles and beer cases inside the vehicle and subsequently searched it under the Liquor Control Act. During their search, police were alarmed when they discovered a military hand grenade concealed in the backseat among the cases of beer. The scene was immediately secured and with the assistance of the RCMP Bomb Disposal Unit, it was determined that the grenade was an imitation. The vehicle was towed off the highway and the elderly male driver from Prince George was later located and interviewed by police. No charges are pending against him at this time.
With the festive season now approaching, RCMP members in McBride and Valemount will be launching their Christmas Counterattack campaign in an effort to curb drinking and driving and get drunk drivers off the road. Impaired driving is against the law and excuses from those drivers putting lives at risk will not be tolerated. Drunk drivers stopped at road checks or elsewhere face a wide range of penalties including immediate roadside suspensions, vehicle impoundments, criminal charges, fines, jail time and ignition interlock.
