By Sgt. Darren Kakuno

This past week, July 23 to July 29, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 87 calls for service. The following are some of the more notable files that officers responded to.

Batteries stolen from heavy equipment

Sometime between July 20 and July 23 three pieces of heavy-duty construction equipment that were parked at the bottom of Elk Park Ranch in Radium Hot Springs had the batteries stolen out of them. The damage was estimated to be approximately $3,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crimestoppers.

No injuries in KNP crash

On July 23, at approximately 6:20 p.m., a black Kia Optima was involved in a single vehicle collision 30 km east of Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park. The driver and her passenger were uninjured after their car left the roadway and travelled approximately 100 m before coming to rest in the ditch. The driver explained she was tired and may have nodded off for a moment.

Outrigger pads stolen from crane

Sometime over the evening of July 23 outrigger pads were stolen from a BC Hydro crane that was parked at the Copper Point Resort. Anyone who observes suspicious vehicles or activity is encouraged to contact police immediately so officers can investigate.

Charges recommended for three after stolen truck recovered

On the morning of July 24 police received a report of an impaired driver at the Petro Canada in Radium.

Officers with the East Kootenay Traffic Section RCMP located the suspect vehicle and began to engage the driver in conversation when two passengers quickly walked away. Checks on the pickup truck they were driving revealed it to be a stolen vehicle. The male driver and his female passenger who remained at the scene were arrested for possession of stolen property. A search of the vehicle revealed more stolen licence plates and a small amount of illicit drugs. Later the same day one of the passengers who fled from the vehicle was located and arrested for failing to comply with his conditions. Charges are being recommended against all three subjects.

Dog left in vehicle

In the late afternoon of July 26 a concerned resident waved down a police officer to report a dog had been left inside a Buick Enclave, which was parked at the Kinsmen Beach parking lot. The officer located the vehicle and, although the sunroof was open and the windows were down, the officer still had concern for the dog’s well-being as the temperature was over 30 degrees. The owner was eventually located and warned about leaving his dog in the vehicle.

Faller turned out to be grossly intoxicated man

On the evening of July 26 RCMP received a report of a male who had fallen down a hillside near Madsen Road in Radium Hot Springs. Officers attended to the area and located a grossly intoxicated man who was agitated and uncooperative. The officers were able to calm the man down and he was arrested for causing a disturbance. The officers were concerned the male was intoxicated to the point where he could not care for himself so he was held in cells until he was sober.

Officers encouraged after check stop

This past Friday, July 27, was National Impaired Driving Day. In response, Columbia Valley RCMP and the East Kootenay Traffic Section conducted a check stop at 4th St and 7th Ave in Invermere. The officers were encouraged by the number of bar patrons who were leaving on foot or taking a taxi. Let’s hope this trend continues even when police cars aren’t set up nearby. Over the course of the week police issued one 24-hour suspension and three three-day driving suspensions for impaired driving.

Stay safe and have a great week everyone.

– Sgt. Darren Kakuno is commander of Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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