By S/Sgt. Svend Nielsen

Elkford residence damaged after driver has medical incident

On February 2 at 11:24 a.m., Elk Valley Regional RCMP attended to a reported disturbance in the 100 block of Corbin Drive in Elkford.

It was reported that a vehicle had driven into a residence at that location and the driver was sitting in his vehicle, yelling at a neighbour who was attempting to get the keys from him as he was trying to leave.

Officers arrived and located Elkford Fire Rescue and BC Ambulance on scene assisting the elderly male driver, who had an expired licence in his possession.

Police investigated the driver for any signs of impairment and found none, but an approved screening device reading was obtained and found to read “zero” after completing the test.

The investigation revealed that some type of medical incident had occurred.

The damage to the residence was such that an inspection was required prior to the truck being removed in order to not collapse the residence. Fortunately, neither the driver or someone else was injured as a result of the collision.

As with any event of this type, police forwarded a request to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles for a driver’s licence review by the agency.

The driver was served a “no driver’s licence” electronic ticket as a result of not possessing an active licence.  Our investigation is concluded, file 2024-307 refers.

Break and entry to Sparwood tool shed

On February 2, Elk Valley RCMP attended to a report of break and enter to a shed in the 400 block of Pine Avenue in Sparwood. The complainant reports the theft occurred sometime in the week of the New Year, with both locks being cut and two bags of Milwaukee power tools being taken from the location. There were no suspects or witnesses and no available security video. The cost to replace all the tools taken was advised to be somewhere between $3,000-$4,000 dollars. Anyone with information can contact the Elk Valley Regional RCMP at 250-425-6233 or report their information anonymously through BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477). Our investigation is ongoing.

Excessive speeder drives into contravention of Criminal Code of Canada weapons prohibition

On February 4 at approximately 6:40 p.m., an Elk Valley Regional RCMP officer was on patrol along Highway 3 near Sparwood when he came across a vehicle travelling in excess of 146 km/h within the 100 km/h zone in winter driving conditions.

A road stop check was conducted. Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver was observed to have a set of brass knuckles and bear spray within easy reach and a large knife tucked into his boot. The driver was informed of the reason for the vehicle stop and the officer then had the male driver move the knife and bear spray away from him while seizing the brass knuckles due to the instrument being a prohibited device under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Upon further queries being checked on the police data base systems, the driver was also found to be contravening a five-year weapons prohibition. The officer informed the driver that he would be served an excessive speed ticket, his vehicle would be impounded for seven days as per mandatory legislation and that the brass knuckles, bear spray and knife were considered weapons and would be seized by police with charges being recommended to Crown Counsel for possession and contravening the prohibition order.

The driver attempted to explain that he needed the knife and bear spray for hiking purposes to defend himself from bears, but was quickly reminded bears hibernate over winter and that it was currently completely dark outside and as such, there was little evidence to support his claim.

The driver was served the appropriate fines and impoundment notice and offered a ride to Sparwood, but refused and began to walk toward the town, which was close by.

Our investigation is ongoing (File 2024-319 refers).

e-KNOW file photo

– S/Sgt. Svend Nielsen is Elk Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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