Townsman Staff
The New Year kicked off with a bang for local RCMP members, who had their hands full throughout the evening as they responded to a number of calls from the serious to the humorous.
The most serious was an incident up in the Park Royal neighbourhood at 2:45 a.m. where two groups of people were involved in a fight. RCMP responded and quickly learned that knives and pool cue balls were used as weapons.
Four individuals suffered significant injuries such as slash wounds, knocked-out teeth and bite marks, however, all received medical attention and are not suffering from any life-threatening injuries.
Four subjects were taken into custody without incident at the scene. Three were found in a vehicle attempting to leave the area while the fourth was tracked by the police dog and found hiding in a shed.
A pool cue ball and knife believed to be used in the assault were also located and seized.
“This is not a random act,” said S/Sgt. Dave Dubnyk, the Cranbrook RCMP detachment commander. “The subjects knew each other and are known to police.”
Two of the four accused were released on a Promise to Appear for a future court date. The other two were taken before a Judicial Justice of the Peace and remanded in custody.
Police are recommending various charges ranging from assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats, obstruction of justice and breach of a court order.
Police have done a number of interviews in relation to the investigation, but ask anyone who witnessed the altercation to call the detachment.
That particular incident was the most serious call of the night, but there were other altercations that required an RCMP presence as well, according to Dubnyk.
“It actually ended up being a very busy night there in spite of my hopes and historically, but anytime you get that many people out and add alcohol, you’re rolling the dice,” he said.
After the bell struck for midnight, the RCMP were called out a few times throughout the night of Jan 1, 2015 to deal with the following:
-1:09 a.m. — Police received a call of an individual laying in a snowbank on Cobham Ave. Police attended and located a very intoxicated individual. The subject was close to home and given a ride back to his house where he was taken into custody by his parents.
-2:11 a.m. — Police responded to the report of a domestic dispute. Subsequent investigation resulted in a male being taken into custody and has since been released on a Promise to Appear for first court date.
– 2:30 a.m. — Police responded to a report of two females in a fistfight at a local liquor establishment. One was arrested as she was also fighting with bar staff.
– 2:41 a.m. — Police received a call requesting a well-being check be done on an individual as the caller was concerned for personal safety. Police attended and located the subject, who was home in bed and asleep.
-3:52 a.m. — Police responded to reports of two people fighting at a residence. Upon arrival, one of the combatants had left the party and RCMP determined there were no concerns with him returning and causing further problems.
-5:14 a.m. — Police received a report of a possible impaired driver. The vehicle was located but the driver was not over the legal alcohol limit. However, it was determined he did not have a valid driver’s license and was issued a violation ticket.
-5:30 a.m. — Police responded to the report of a vehicle that had driven into a house at the 2200 block of 5th St. South. Upon arrival, RCMP arrested the female driver of the vehicle and started an impaired driving investigation. The female driver provided two breath samples indicating blood-alcohol content three times over the legal limit after being taken down to the RCMP detachment. She was issued a 24-hour and a 90-day prohibition with a Promise to Appear for a court appearance.
– 5:39 a.m. — Police responded to a report of two roommates fighting at a residence. Upon arrival, one of the combatants had left. He was later located and spent the night at another residence and caused no further problems.
– 7:18 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a domestic assault. Police attended and arrested a female, who has since been released from custody for a Promise to Appear for a future court appearance.