Caution against fraud
The public is reminded to take extra care when proceeding with financial transactions with unknown people, especially over the internet. Fraudsters routinely use ads on the internet as means to seek out their victims. They initiate contact with victims by responding to ads and make arrangements to send payment by cheque to the victim. The commonality in these types of frauds is they ask for some of the money to be sent back to them or another unknown third party. It is not until after the victim has deposited and sent the money back that they discover the cheque is a fraud and by then it is too late.
Bear struck by van
On Aug. 8, a bear was struck on Hwy 95 south of town by a passenger van. The vehicle sustained only minor damage and the bear scrambled off into the forest and did not appear to be injured. Police arrived on the scene and patrolled the area, confirming the bear was nowhere to be found.
Stolen vehicles
On Aug. 10, police were notified of a suspicious incident whereby two males were seen leaving a Ford Pickup parked on the north end of Golden. The door of the vehicle was left ajar with the keys left in the vehicle. Police discovered the truck had been reported stolen from Alberta. On August 11, a local resident was alerted to the sound of their vehicle revving. They looked outside to see the vehicle being driven away. While calling the police their partner pursed the suspects in a second vehicle. The suspects ditched the vehicle on 9th Street N and with the partner close behind, they fled into the thorny brush and out of sight. Shortly thereafter a report was received that a young person had entered a home and alleged an incident of road rage. Police noted the young person was covered with pieces of thorny leaves and branches. The young person, from Alberta, was arrested for the theft of the stolen vehicle. The second suspect was not located.
On August 12, police received another report of a stolen vehicle from Golden which had since been recovered in Alberta. Police continue to investigate all these incidents which are believed to be linked.
Backcountry rescue
On Aug. 14, police received a reported SPOT activation at 9 pm coming from Mount Huber near the BC / Alberta border. The area is located within Yoho National Park. A pair of hikers had activated the beacon when one suffered a leg injury and was unable to hike out. Rescue was not possible until the following morning during daylight hours, luckily the pair were sufficiently prepared to spend the night on the mountain. Parks Canada staff completed the rescue the following morning.
