By Cpl. Brent Ayers

Between December 21 and December 27 members of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment has responded to 44 calls for service. Three of these complaints were motor vehicle accidents, with two of the accidents being roll overs.

A Family Feud Christmas to remember

On December 25, Columbia Valley RCMP members were called to a family feud in Fairmont Hot Springs. It was reported that two brothers were fighting in the family vacation home, which started because one brother burned his father with a blowtorch.

The other brother obtained a pair of handcuffs and repeatedly assaulted the first brother until he was able to handcuff his brother to his mother. It was also alleged that numerous death threats were voiced back and forth between all parties. Members attended and arrested all of the males in the household for multiple offences.

After speaking with all parties and watching a video which a daughter had taken, it was determined that the one brother was the main problem and the only person who could be charged for assaulting the other brother. Police spoke with the victim brother and in the end the victim brother did not wish charges against his assaultive brother. All parties were released from custody and the problem brother left to go back to where he came from and told he was no longer welcome at the residence.

Just a few of the computer remarks received by attending police and ambulance:

Family distb-com’s brothers fighting physically; one male is handcuffed, u/k where handcuffs came from; one m using a belt as weapon; mom and brother are handcuffed together by another brother; son had an axe at one point u/k where axe is now; com’s dad is downstairs in res, not involved in fight; no guns in hse. no alc/drugs; son accidentally burned dad with a lighter and things escalated from there; ehs declined; soc son may have put axe in his room; did use it to threaten his brother saying his brother threatened to kill com and his father; soc tried to burn dad with blowtorch; dad has burns; father in downstairs; soc and mother are upstairs cuffed together; no guns in house; soc poss intox; mother has been drinking; no alc for father and com; staging ehs; dad is upstairs now; mom is screaming; com recorded video of incident and dad is trying to delete it; son is threatening to kill everyone; says won’t take handcuffs off until police arrive as it is a citizens arrest.

Impaired driver in Athalmer

On December 21, at approximately 4:50 a.m., police were called out for a complaint of a truck driving laps in the Industrial Park in Invermere, repeatedly honking for no apparent reason. Cst. Mazerolle conducted patrols and later located the suspect vehicle to be parked behind the car wash with the driver in the driver seat. The vehicle was pulled over and under the care and control of the registered owner. An ASD demand was read after the driver admitted to drinking alcohol in the last three hours. The driver blew a fail reading twice. Police served the driver with notices of prohibition and impoundment. Club Towing impounded the vehicle.

Road rage incident

On December 22 at 3:20 p.m., a complainant called to report a road rage incident on Athalmer Hill Road in Invermere. The complainant reported that he passed a newer white work truck while driving up Athalmer Hill. The complainant stopped in the left hand turning lane at the red light near Canadian tire. The driver of the work truck stopped beside him and began to yell at him telling him that he is a f&%#$*@ idiot, moron, and that he sprayed rocks when he passed.

The driver of the work truck then gave the complainant the finger and was raging. The complainant reported that he felt extremely threatened by the driver of the work truck. Police spoke with the owner and confirmed operator of the work truck who admitted that he was the one who yelled and swore at the complainant. The second driver was upset because the other truck had sprayed rocks when he passed, that there was no reason for him to pass as everyone was going the speed limit, and that the truck was turning at the lights any way. Police were assured that there are no concerns for retaliation or of any conflict between the two in the future.

Break and entry to Highway 93/95 residence

On December 23, the RCMP was notified that a house was broken into sometime during the night. Police attended to the Highway 93/95 residence between Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs. Police noted the front door, which showed signs of forced entry. Stolen from the house were a 55 inch LG Smart TV and a 13 inch Mac Book Pro laptop; total estimate of value loss – $2,700. A neighbour was spoken with who said that they had seen a diesel truck between 12:30 and 1 a.m. driving slowly on the highway that looked suspicious but nothing else that assisted in coming forth with a suspect. If anybody has any information with regards to this incident you can make a report to police or through Crime Stoppers. Confidentiality if you so choose will be guaranteed.

Road checks

Road checks will continue over the holiday season. Should your gatherings involve any drinking, ensure you have a plan to stay safe.

Humour as a fuse

Police / emergency responders (paid and volunteer) in smaller detachments respond to potentially serious and sometimes tragic events. In the end many use humour to cope, my-self included. I look at humour as a “fuse,” similar to what is in a vehicle or house and I would rather blow a fuse than have a major melt down.

We are all human, after all, and try to do the best we can with what we have. Again I wish to remind everyone to have a great “safe” holiday season as we approach the New Year, 2016.

Article Share