Police warn of RCMP phone scam, and thefts of trucks and snowmobiles

Thefts take place in area of Highway 5, from Kamloops through to Highway 16 interchange north of Valemount

Barriere RCMP Cpl. Steve Mancini warns area residents that there has been an increase in telephone scams where the caller identifies themselves as an employee of Canada Revenue Agency and states that money is owed.

The caller requests money be forwarded, and if not an arrest warrant will be issued.

Mancini says that recently, a second call is made, with the caller identifying themselves as an RCMP member and stating that a warrant has been issued and money would need to be received in order to cancel the warrant.

“Of note is the caller ID shows the number to be local RCMP Detachments,” said Mancini, “Barriere RCMP want to advise the public that they do not call people requesting money.  Should you receive any calls of this nature, do not send money, and notify the Barriere RCMP of the incident.”

Lock up your vehicles and snowmobiles

Clearwater RCMP advise that Highway 5, from Kamloops through to the Highway 16 interchange north of Valemount, has seen an increase in thefts of full-size pickup trucks and snowmobiles, either on trailers or in the back of trucks.

Police are actively investigating these occurrences and ask everyone to take caution where and how they are parking and storing their vehicles and snowmobiles.

If at all possible, when storing snowmobiles on a trailer use a hitch lock on the trailer and keep the trailer in a position that is not easily accessible by thieves.

If your trailer is attached to your truck, remember to lock both the receiver and the hitch.

Lastly, if you see anything suspicious, usually during the late hours of the night, early hours of the morning, please call and report it.

Spring weather

The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year and the roads are bare most days now.

Remember that the temperatures are still hovering around freezing and that any amount of rain has the potential to turn that bare, clear road into a skating rink very quickly.

Unfortunately several people have already found out the hard way. Don’t let yourself be the next.

As a reminder, winter tires are still a requirement on the highway for a while longer, so don’t get too excited for spring and start changing your tires over just yet.

 

 

Barriere Star Journal