Submitted by ROBSON VALLEY RCMP
“¢ On Sunday January 24th McBride RCMP conducted a traffic stop on Highway 16 near Tete Jaune Cache with a pickup truck driving erratically. Upon stopping the vehicle the driver was arrested for obstruction, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and firearms contraventions. A search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of crystal meth (methamphetamine), along with prohibited firearms. The male driver was held for a bail hearing and a female passenger released to appear in provincial court in the near future.
“¢ On Tuesday January 26th Valemount RCMP received a report of a fight at the Moose Pub. Upon police arrival it was learnt the two males involved in the altercation had left. Police later located the individuals to clarify the incident and no charges were pursued. It is believed alcohol was a contributing factor for this incident.
“¢ On Friday January 29th McBride RCMP were alerted to emergency beacon activations from the same location of the Renshaw Mountain recreation area. There were off-duty Search and Rescue members near the area at the time of the activations and confirmed a large avalanche had occurred. There were five fatalities as a result of the avalanche, and multiple people injured. This incident is being investigated by the BC Coroner’s Office.
“¢ On Sunday January 31st Valemount RCMP were contacted about a hit and run collision on the parking lot of the Best Western hotel. A blue pickup truck is believed to have side swiped another truck parked on the lot during the early morning hours. The entire incident was captured on security video, which police were able to view. The investigation into this matter is continuing and police may have identified the vehicle involved, but are asking members of the public who have further information about this incident to contact the Valemount RCMP (250) 566-4466 or CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-8477.
Also on Sunday January 31st members of the Valemount and McBride RCMP, along with local CVSE members conducted a joint road check on Highway 16 near the Tete Jaune Scales. Numerous vehicles passed through the road check, as a result a 24 hour driving prohibition was issued to one driver, along with several illegal drug seizures from others. A male passenger was also arrested for obstruction as identity could not be confirmed. Further investigation revealed the male had outstanding warrants from Alberta, as well as a Canada wide apprehension order. The male remained in custody pending a bail hearing. At the conclusion of the road check, RCMP members patrolled Highway 16 and encountered a pickup truck heading eastbound at a high rate of speed. As darkness was falling the vehicle turned of its head lights, and refused to stop for police. Three police vehicles clocked the pickup travelling in excess of 160kph. The Jasper RCMP were notified because attempts to catch and stop the vehicle by McBride RCMP and Valemount RCMP would be too dangerous. The pickup was later located at the Jasper Park gates on Highway 16, and 68 year old male arrested. Several loaded firearms were located in the vehicle.
Fraud alert
The RCMP would like remind the public again of phone scams taking place in the Robson Valley. The most common scam currently taking place are con-artists pretending to be from Revenue Canada. They use threats and scare tactics to intimidate people out of money.
– Revenue Canada does NOT solicit funds via phone. They will send mail detailing your tax assessment if money is owed.
– Revenue Canada does NOT have any offices outside of Canada and will never ask you to send money via wire transfer.
– Any money paid to Revenue Canada should only be made out to the “Receiver General of Canada” and NOT any individual.
– The RCMP do NOT arrest anyone for unpaid taxes.
Despite this warning appearing in several local media reports over the past year people are still falling victim to this scam. Please share this information with friends and family so EVERYONE is aware of it. If anyone is contacting you by phone and telling to you to send money via wire transfer, e-mail, or money order please contact the RCMP to confirm if it is a legitimate agency. Despite any threats made by collectors on the phone there is NO arrest Warrant and you will NOT be arrested. For more information on other on-line and phone scams please visit the Anti-Fraud Web Site at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
