Keremeos RCMP Detachment Commander Mike Gallagher spoke to Keremeos Village council about recent criminal activity in the village at the March 17 meeting of council.
Gallagher reviewed the annual statistics with council, noting that calls for service remained at roughly the same levels as last year (1,567 in 2012 versus 1,533 in 2013).
Property crime boosted statistics, especially in the fourth quarter, Gallagher said, noting a large increase in break and enters stemming from a rash of mailbox thefts that occurred in the region around Christmas. Gallagher also noted that two individuals with lengthy criminal histories were arrested and charged with numerous break and enters.
Robert Wilson, 34, was arrested December 8 and subsequently convicted; he is presently serving a two year jail term.
Michael Minchau was also arrested and charged with numerous counts of mailbox theft. The thefts were widespread, occurring from Keremeos east to the Kootenays.
Minchau currently faces four counts of mischief $5,000 or under, four counts of causing a person to use a forged document, one count of theft under $5,000 or under, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, five counts of forgery and one count of theft from mail. A pre-trial conference took place on March 25.
Minchau also plead guilty earlier in March to two counts of breach of conditions that occurred in January.
Also arrested with Minchau in January was Lisa Roseanne Carlisle.
The pair were arrested after being accused of taking licence plates from a vehicle in Olalla.
Carlisle was charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and two counts of breach of conditions. She is scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 18.
Gallagher said other associates of Minchau’s who were persons of interest to police also left Keremeos following Minchau’s arrest. Gallagher also advised that property crimes continue to be an issue in the village, advising residents not to lock their vehicles and refrain from leaving valuables in plain view.
Other fourth quarter activities
– Keremeos RCMP investigated three drug files and dismantled a 20 plant outdoor grow op on Highway 3A.
– Three drivers were issued 90 day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions.
– Twenty-seven traffic collisions were reported.
– Crime Stoppers fielded seven tips from the Keremeos area.
