It was a busy week for the Golden-Field RCMP as police were called to respond to 97 files.
“This is definitely above average for our detachment,” said detachment spokesperson Cst. Spencer Lainchbury. “Although the Motion Notion music festival being held at the Beaverfoot Lodge tied up some of our resources over the weekend, we had several other priority files that kept us busy.”
Car rolls down embankment
Police were called to assist with a collision on Canyon Creek Road on the afternoon of July 20. “It’s believed that the driver, a 22 year-old male from Golden, exited the roadway causing the vehicle to go down a steep embankment,” said Cst. Lainchbury Both the driver and passenger, a 19 year-old female also from Golden, were transported by BC Ambulance to the Golden Hospital. The driver sustained minor injuries however the passenger was treated for more serious, non-life threatening injuries.
Semi loses cargo
Local police and highway crews were busy cleaning up cedar mulch from Highway 1 after a semi lost several bags of it off its trailer during the early morning of July 21. Police first noticed the bags while responding to an unrelated call west of Golden, and contacted highway maintenance crews to assist in the clean-up. The semi was located parked in town shortly after and the driver was issued a $288.00 violation ticket for an unsecure load.
Male attacks car
A 20 year-old male from Abbotsford was arrested for Mischief on July 21 after police received a frantic call from a female alleging that the male had smashed her car while she was inside. According to the caller the two had been drinking together at a local establishment when she left without the male. The male then followed her home and after a short altercation she locked herself inside her car. “It’s alleged that the male then proceeded to kick and punch the car damaging the mirror,” stated Cst. Lainchbury. Police were able to locate the male who was arrested and lodged in cells until sober. The male was later released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Golden on Oct. 7.
Weapons complaint
Police responded to a weapons complaint during the early morning hours of July 21 after it was reported that a transient male had been forced out of his camp by another group of transient males, one which was carrying a knife. Patrols were made by police to locate both the complainant and the subjects of the complaint; however neither party could be located.
Dispute over collision
On July 21 at approximately 6:30 a.m., police responded to a collision on Highway 1 near Beaver Valley Road in Rogers Pass. Although neither party reported significant damage or injuries, the two drivers were in a verbal dispute over who was at fault for the collision. “It appears that the collision was a result of one motorist not wanting the other motorist to pass,” said Cst. Lainchbury. The collision was documented by police with the information being forwarded to the two motorists’ insurance companies to determine the level of fault.
Fruit Stand Heist
Police are continuing to investigate after a break and enter was reported by the fruit stand located on the Trans-Canada Highway at 14th Street. “It appears that someone was able to gain entry to the inside of the business by prying open the front door,” says Cst. Lainchbury. A large quantity of canned goods including honey and jams were stolen. Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident contact them at 250-344-2221 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222- 8477.
Wasted resources
Police would like to remind those who are travelling to make sure they stay in contact with friends and family after spending several hours throughout the week trying to locate overdue travellers. Local police were called on two separate incidents after people failed to show up to their destinations when expected. “In both cases the travellers had simply taken their time and did not require police or medical assistance,” said Cst. Lainchbury. “A simple phone call updating those expecting you can free up police resources allowing us to focus on other priorities.”
Fight over bacon
On July 22 police were called to a dispute in which a male alleged that he was assaulted by his brother. Upon attendance police determined that the two had got into an argument over bacon, resulting in one brother hitting the other with one of the pieces of bacon. Police were able to mediate the dispute, and no further issues were reported.
Helicopter crash
On July 24 police were advised that efforts were currently underway to provide medical assistance to occupants of a helicopter that had crashed just south of Golden. Both BC Ambulance and the Golden Fire-Rescue responded to assist with the patients. The matter has been passed on to Transport Canada for investigation.
Tailgating ticket
A motorist from Red Deer was issued a ticket for following too closely after rear-ending another vehicle on Highway 1 between the tunnels east of Rogers Pass on July 24. Both vehicle’s sustained extensive damage, but none of the occupants were injured. Westbound traffic saw minor delays while Parks Canada crews, police, and tow cleared the scene.
Stolen Vehicle
Police are continuing to investigate after a report was received that a vehicle listed for sale had been stolen from a residence on Selkirk Drive. The vehicle a Red Chevrolet Cavalier was last seen by a friend staying at house on July 25, when he returned later in the morning the vehicle was gone. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to contact local police or Crimestoppers.
Stranded Hikers
The Golden and District Search & Rescue (GADSAR) team was activated by police on July 25 after a SPOT beacon was received. The initial call indicated that a group of hikers were stranded on a mountain range near Golden and one was believed to have hypothermia. The group was not immediately accessed due to weather, but was eventually transported to the Golden Hospital where they were treated and released.
Propane stove fight
Police were called to Finn Creek rest area just off of Highway 1 on the evening of July 25 after two motorists got in a verbal argument over the use of a propane stove during the fire ban. Police responded and mediated the argument without further issues. The two motorists departed the area heading for their destinations.
Motion Notion
Police were called to assist BC Ambulance on July 24 after a concerned mother received a call from her son stating that he had been drugged while attending Motion Notion. Police responded with BC Ambulance and spoke with the male who refused medical attention stating he was fine.
Police along with medical and security staff for the Motion Notion festival seized a number of illegal drugs during the event as a result of check stops and interactions with attendees. Drugs seized included cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), and marijuana. “With such a large event it is impossible to stop all illegal drugs from going onto the property, however the road checks conducted by police and security prevented some of these drugs from getting past the gates which hopefully prevented some emergency response calls throughout the weekend,” said Cst. Lainchbury.
A member of the festival’s security team was treated for minor injuries after a female who was found without a ticket to the event was escorted off the property. “As the security guard went to drive away, the female allegedly threw a rock at the vehicle, smashing the passenger side window,” said Cst. Lainchbury. The male was treated on site for small cuts as a result of the glass breaking. The female was last seen on foot walking down the road, but was gone when police arrived. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the female is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.
A 30 year-old male from Sechelt is facing charges of possessing a drug for the purpose of trafficking, after police were called to assist security staff who had detained the male for having a knife at the event. Security staff advised that a search of the male for other weapons resulted in them finding a large bag of what is believed to be narcotics on the male. Police attended and the male was arrested and transported back to the Golden RCMP Detachment where he was later released. Samples of the suspected drugs will be sent to be tested to determine the chemical make-up. The male is scheduled to appear in court in Golden on October 7.
At approximately 6 a.m. on July 27, GADSAR was tasked with locating two hikers who had become lost while trying to walk to the Notion Motion music festival at the Beaverfoot Lodge. The two had set up camp overnight and when they woke up they were unable to determine where they were in relation to the festival. The two, who could hear the music coming from the event, were instructed to continue to follow the Kicking Horse River towards the music, as the river runs adjacent to the Beaverfoot Lodge. Just over an hour later, police received a call back from the two advising they had found their way to the festival and GADSAR stood down.
Police were called to assist security after an upset father showed up at the gates to the festival and was allegedly causing a disturbance. “The family was camping in the area and realized that their 18 year-old daughter had left to go to the festival,” stated Cst. Lainchbury. Security staff was able to locate the daughter, and the family departed from the area.
A 31 year-old male from Vancouver had his friend’s vehicle impounded after rolling up to a police check stop with no driver’s licence. Under the Motor Vehicle Act the vehicle was seized for seven days given the driver’s current driving status. Police also ticketed another male from Calgary after he approached the check stop with an expired licence.
