Property Thefts
With the weather warming up police would like to remind everyone to lock up valuable items, and ensure that their car doors are locked and property removed from any vehicles that will be left unattended.
“We see an increased trend during the spring and summer with vehicles being rummaged through and items being stolen” stated Cst. Spencer Lainchbury with the Golden-Field RCMP. “The same goes for property such as bicycles being taken out of yards.”
This week police responded to several reports of vehicles being entered overnight, as well as bicycles being stolen. Anyone with information regarding any of these thefts is asked to call the Golden-Field RCMP at 250-344-2221 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS (8477).
Public intoxication
On Mar. 8, RCMP attended a local restaurant where it was reported that a 27 year-old male was unresponsive at the table he was sitting at. Police were able to wake the male who explained that he had drank too much the previous night and did not remember how he got to the restaurant. Medical assistance was not required and the male was transported back to his hotel by police.
During the early morning hours of March 9, BC Ambulance requested police assistance in dealing with an intoxicated male who was unresponsive. Medical personnel were eventually able to get the male to respond. The 28 year-old male was medically cleared and stayed with friends for observation.
B&E
On March 9, police were called to a break & enter at a residence under construction on Selkirk Hill. Suspects entered the residence and stole a radio. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Golden-Field RCMP.
Domestic disturbance
Police responded to a disturbance at a residence during the early morning hours of March 10. It was alleged that the 42 year-old male was intoxicated and refused to leave the residence once requested, as a part of a court ordered condition. The male was held in police custody until sober. A firearm was also located at the residence and has been seized and held by police pending an investigation by the Chief Firearms Officer.
Incident at gas station
On March 10 at approximately 5:30 pm, police responded to a report of a male with a knife in a local gas station. The male was alleged to have waived the knife in front of staff members at the gas station. “This does not appear to have been any kind of attempt at robbery or threat of violence.” Cst. Lainchbury advised. Police apprehended the male under the Mental Health Act. The male was transported to the Golden Hospital for evaluation, at which point he was transferred by BC Ambulance to Cranbrook for further assessment.
Destructive drunk
Police were called to a disturbance during the early morning hours of March 11, in which is reported that a male could be heard screaming “get off, get off”. Upon arrival it was alleged by friends that a male was heavily intoxicated, became upset, and began to destroy property. The male was located walking in the area a short time later and arrested by police. The 18 year-old male from Golden is scheduled to appear in court in Golden on May 20.
ATV incident
On Mar. 11, the police responded to a report of a collision involving an ATV approximately 55 km’s west of Golden. The incident was reported to have occurred near the rail line, and CP Police responded along with BC Ambulance. Police believe that the ATV lost control rolling on its side. The 24 year-old driver was transported by BC Ambulance to the Golden Hospital with minor injuries. No charges are expected to be laid as a result of the incident.
Possible counterfeits
On Mar. 12, a local business reported that they believed they had received two counterfeit US $20 bills at their business. Police will be following up to have the bills examined to confirm whether the bills are counterfeit currency.
Bank account theft
RCMP will be working with a local financial institution to determine the nature of a theft that occurred from someone’s bank account using a local ATM. On Mar. 12, a Golden resident advised police that money had went missing out of her account after her bank card was stolen. Police will be looking to obtain video surveillance footage to help them determine who is responsible for the theft.
Search for intoxicated male
During the evening of March 12, the Golden-Field RCMP received a report from staff at a local liquor store advising that a male who appeared to be intoxicated had just purchased liquor from them, and then walked to his tractor trailer unit before driving westbound on Highway 1. The Golden-Field RCMP conducted extensive patrols, but were not able to locate the driver. A request for assistance in locating the driver was sent to the Revelstoke RCMP; however they were also not able to locate him.
Alleged drinking and driving
Police will be forwarding charges against a 49 year-old male from Surrey after police allege that he failed to provide samples of his breath during an Impaired Driving investigation. The male was brought to the attention of local police after staff at the Golden Scales reported a male at their location was showing signs of impairment. The male was transported back to the Golden’s detachment by police at which point they attempted to obtain samples of this breath. The male is scheduled to attend court in Golden on May 20.
Attempted vehicle theft
On Mar. 13, police were called after someone found that the door locks and ignition had been punched out of their vehicle while parked overnight on 13th Street. Police were not able to obtain any physical evidence from the scene to assist them in determining who was responsible for the attempted theft, and are requesting anyone with information regarding this incident contact them.
Roadside suspension
A new driver had his vehicle impounded and licence suspended for 3 days on March 13 under the Provincial Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) program. Police initiated a traffic stop with the vehicle on 5th Ave. S, and a roadside breath test was conducted. The new driver provided a sample indicating that he was in the “warn” range. “When a warn is displayed police can ascertain that the sample provided contained not less than 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood”. says Cst. Lainchbury.
Golden RCMP also had a driver fail to provide a suitable sample of breath on the night of Mar. 13. It’s alleged that the driver was purposely failing to provide a sufficient sample of her breath in order to stop police from proceeding with the investigation. Under Provincial IRP legislation, the penalties for refusing to provide a breath sample carry the same punishment as failing the roadside screening test. The driver’s vehicle was impounded for 30 days and her licence was suspended for 90 days.
Marijuana seizure
Police seized small amounts of marijuana from two vehicles after two separate traffic stops on Mar. 14. “In both cases traffic stops were initiated with the vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act, however the investigating officer could smell an odour of marijuana and an investigation under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act commenced.” said Cst. Lainchbury. Police also located open liquor in both vehicles and the drivers received $230 fines under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.
More intoxicated driving
During the early morning hours of March 15 police were attempting to locate a snowmobile that was reported to be sitting on the shoulder of Highway 1 approximately 30 km’s west of Golden. While driving to the location an oncoming vehicle approached police with aftermarket off road lights on. A vehicle stop was conducted to address the lights which are illegal in BC, and suspicion was formed that the driver’s ability to drive was affected by alcohol. The driver then failed a roadside breath test, and subsequently had his vehicle impounded for 30 days and licence suspended for 90 days under the IRP program. The snowmobile from the original file was not located by police.
