Columbia Valley RCMP Report

As a result of an alert citizen a number of thefts from cars was thwarted at the Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Hill on March 14.  An older male, thin and in his ‘50s was observed going from car-to-car with what appeared to be an item in hand to assist him in possibly breaking into cars. The citizen called out to the male, and he quickly departed in a blue Chevrolet Cavalier. A female was driving the car. The licence plate provided proved to have been stolen from Alberta.

Patrols for the vehicle proved negative. Our thanks to the alert citizen.

Assaulted at bar

At 1 a.m. on March 13 Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment members responded to a complaint of assault at Bud’s Bar in Invermere.  A 47-year-old male advised that two males in the bar approached him and began assaulting him about the head. The victim received facial injuries but declined medical assistance. The two suspects had departed the bar by the time the police arrived.  The investigation is continuing.

Booze factor in disturbance

Columbia Valley Detachment received a report of a disturbance at a residence in the 1400 block of 13th Avenue at 3:50 a.m. on March 15. On attendance it was determined that a number of roommates were arguing. No assault had taken place. Two roommates were assisted in being driven to a hotel. Alcohol was a factor in the incident.

Fairmont man hurt in KNP crash

At 4:20 p.m. on March 15, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a single vehicle accident in Kootenay National Park near the Continental Divide. A 1995 Chev Astro was east bound and swayed to the right causing the tires to drive onto the shoulder and snow. The vehicle lost control and ended up in the ditch, causing minor injuries to the driver with cuts to the hand only. The 70-year-old male driver from Fairmont was charged with drive without due consideration under the Motor Vehicle Act.

A chance for hit-and-run driver

At 1 a.m. on March 15, Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of hit-and-run in the parking lot of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. A 2010 GMC Yukon suffered some damage as a result of a 2013 Chev Cruize making contact.  Fairmont Resort Security was able to provide information to the police in regards to the offending vehicle and possible driver.

Police are continuing the investigation. Note to the driver of the 2013 Cruize: come in and report it before we make contact to avoid a charge of hit and run.

Gas nicked in the Flats

Columbia Valley Detachment received a report of a break and entry to a shed in the 8000 block of Bighorn Sheep Lane in Canal Flats at 10:30 a.m. on March 16. A red gas can was stolen as well as gas siphoned from an ATV.

24-hour suspension

A 50-year-old male from Radium Hot Springs was observed to operate a vehicle erratically in the parking lot area of Home Hardware at 4 p.m. on March 16. Police checked the male and determined that he had been drinking. The driver was issued a 24-hour suspension and a sober friend was able to drive the vehicle.

Domestic assault in Radium

On March 17, Columbia Valley Detachment members responded to a domestic assault complaint in the 4000 block of Stanley Street in Radium Hot Springs. As a result of the investigation a 56-year-old was arrested and charged with assault.

The victim was taken to the Invermere and District Hospital to have her injuries looked at.

Let the games begin

Every year the detachment members mix it up with the David Thompson Secondary School floor hockey challenge. Thanks to Invermere Rotary, we have a championship trophy to hand out. We have only won it once since I arrived. Last year we lost in the finals two games to one.

We are tired of losing.  Our weakness is our goaltending; so this year we sent Grant Simpson to work out with the Columbia Valley Rockies. This has paid off as we won our first game 4-0, second game, 7-0 and our last game we won 8-1. I suspect he let his son score on him.

Unfortunately I was unable to make the first two games, but the team pleaded with me to show up at the last game thinking it may be a tighter game. I almost got half the goals for the team with a hat-trick. They call me sniper. Thanks to all the kids watching who threw their hats on the floor.

The trick to my style of play is very little back-checking, stay well off side for the breakaway pass, and use my blistering wrist shot. Teams we play against have to plan to counteract my laziness and have one of their players stay back. This opens up the floor for us.

This year we recruited Brendan Sage one of our nemeses from last year. I researched the rules and regulations and  under “Rotary/RCMP challenge Cup, section 246 (1) (b) (iii) it  states, should a non student who graduated under good standing ( he barely made it)  from the challenging high school, and has blue blood (police relations) in the family, they can be deputized under special dispensation  to join the RCMP team. Sage has an uncle who is a police officer. Glen was the black sheep who couldn’t cut it as a police officer, so he took the easy route.

April 2 we play the Flyers, the other undefeated team. Expect it to be a rough game. Probably the team we meet in the finals this year. So far, I’ve seen no competition. Will keep you posted on our track to victory.

S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac

Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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