'Brazen' shoplifting, B&Es and impaired driver - long week for Queen's Cowboys in Nakusp
By Trail Champion
Nakusp RCMP were kept busy over the final week of summer with thefts, break-and-enters and impaireds, according to Cpl. Ryan Fehler, who said the office fielded 38 calls for service during the seven-day period.
“Break and enters and thefts are continuing in the area and police are urging residents to be vigilant in locking up items of value, ensuring vehicles are secured, and keeping an eye out for suspicious people and vehicles,” Fehler said, adding two more thefts of licence plates were reported to police, one at the Halcyon Resort and one in Burton.
“Just after 12 p.m. on Aug. 29, police received a series of shoplifting complaints from local business owners on Broadway Street,” he said. “Store owners and a witness provided descriptions of a male and female suspected of stealing from different businesses.”
He said police arrived on scene, but weren’t able to find the suspects.
“Later that same day, police were advised that the same suspects had returned to one of the stores that had been victimized. The store owner was able to apprehend the suspects and contain them until police arrived.
“One of the brazen youth had re-entered the store wearing merchandise stolen from the same store only hours earlier. One male and one female young offender were arrested taken into custody. Police continued their investigation of the two offenders and determined that they had stolen from at least three local businesses.
“The two were also found to have stolen items from at least three vehicles during the previous night. As a result of the investigation, police were able to recover a significant quantity of stolen property valued in excess of $500.”
Cpl.Fehler, said the the two are Vernon residents here visiting family and have been released into the custody of a family member pending their Nakusp court date.
“Police will be recommending multiple charges of Theft and Possession of Stolen Property against both individuals.”
The following day saw more theft issues, this time involving break-and-enters.
“On Aug.30, Nakusp RCMP received a report of a B&E to a multiple-structure on a property in the Rock Island Road area,” he said. “The culprit(s) forced their way into structures and recreation vehicles by using a pry bar and kicking in doors. Electronic equipment is believed to have been stolen from the property. Evidence was gathered at the scene and police are continuing to investigate.”
But that wasn’t the end of it – Fehler said later the same day, police were advised of another series of break-ins that had occurred to trailers on a recreational property near the Burton area.
“Three trailers were broken into in a similar fashion to those in the Rock Island Road area. Tools, alcohol, electronics and other household items were stolen from the trailers. Items were seized from the trailers for forensic examination,” he said. “Police are asking that anyone who may have information regarding the above mentioned incidents to please contact the Nakusp RCMP or Crimestoppers.”
The following day, a 22-year-old Vernon resident found himself remanded in custody with at least two charges recommended against him.
“On Sept. 1, Nakusp RCMP were advised of a possible impaired driver travelling east on Hwy 6 from the Vernon area,” he said, adding police found the vehicle in question near Burton.
“The driver of the vehicle provided a false name to the officer, but was eventually identified as a 22-year-old Vernon resident prohibited from driving. The driver was also found to have multiple outstanding arrest warrants for driving offences and being unlawfully at large.”
The driver was arrested and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days, subsequent to an immediate roadside prohibition for driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.
“A bail hearing was conducted and the male suspect was remanded in custody to appear in Vernon Provincial Court on Sept. 3 Police have recommended charges of Driving While Disqualified and Obstructing a Police Officer.”
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