Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno
Detachment Commander
Columbia Valley RCMP
This past week, Jan. 11 through Jan. 17, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 53 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.
•On Monday, Jan. 11, an individual contacted the Columbia Valley RCMP to report the loss of his camera equipment. The owner recalled placing his black Lowepro camera bag on the sidewalk in downtown Invermere on Jan. 10. The camera case contained a lens, two batteries and a lens filter. If anyone located this camera equipment, they can contact the Columbia Valley RCMP to facilitate the return to its owner.
•On Tuesday, Jan. 12, at about 9 p.m., witnesses reported seeing a grey SUV drive into a ditch on Athalmer Road in Invermere. Police responded and spoke to the driver, who was not able to provide any identification and provided a false name to police. While speaking to the driver, the investigating officer formed grounds to believe the driver was impaired by alcohol. The driver was detained for impaired operation and transported to the detachment to provide a breath sample. The driver was held in cells until sober and released with a 90-day administrative driving prohibition and an appearance notice to attend court at a later date in relation to failing to provide a breath sample and obstruction.
•On Thursday, Jan. 14 at 2 a.m., police were called to a report of an intoxicated male causing damage at a residence on Subdivision Road in Radium Hot Springs. Officers attended and arrested an adult male for mischief and outstanding warrants. The male was held in cells until sober and released on conditions to attend court at a later date.
•On Sunday, Jan. 17, at about 9:40 a.m. Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a Mercedes Benz speeding, failing to maintain its lane and traveling on the shoulder of the highway. An officer located the vehicle on Athalmer Road in Invermere and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking to the driver, the officer formed suspicion the driver was operating a vehicle with alcohol in his blood and read a breath demand. The driver refused to provide a sample of his breath and, as a result, was arrested for refusing to provide a sample and later released on an appearance notice to attend court at a later date. The driver was also issued a 90-day administrative driving prohibition, a 24-hour driving prohibition and violation tickets for no driver’s license, drive without due care and fail to obey a traffic control device.
•This past week, Columbia Valley RCMP served three individuals violation tickets for their involvement in a non-compliant rally that occurred on the sidewalks at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 4th Street in Invermere on Saturday, Jan. 9. Columbia Valley RCMP is requesting individuals’ voluntary compliance with the Public Health Officer’s orders restricting any size gatherings.
•After thirty years of service, with the past fifteen years being here in Columbia Valley, Cpl. Brent Ayers will be retiring at the end of January. Over the years, Cpl. Ayers played a significant role in shaping our detachment and our members. He’s going to leave some big boots to fill. Congratulations on your retirement Brent, we are going to miss you.
