Submitted by Sgt. G.D.SIMPSON
Clearwater RCMP
Clearwater RCMP responded to 33 calls for service this past week.
On Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. a Penticton man attended the RCMP detachment to report a theft from motor vehicle at a hotel located in the 300 block of Roy Road in Clearwater, B.C.
It was reported that sometime overnight or early that morning, his work truck, registered to a heavy equipment company out of Penticton, was broken into. The two large lock box doors on the driver’s side were pried open. Milwaukee tools, such as a 1/2” impact wrench, 3/8” impact, grinder, light and six batteries were taken. The complainant will be attempting to provide serial numbers and had ground in his last name, and initials into the tools. File number provided for insurance purposes. Pictures of the vehicle were obtained to further this investigation.
The complainant’s work partner may also have missing tools. It was reported that a second vehicle had the fuel tank drilled and emptied. Staff to review video surveillance. Const. Meyer spoke with property representative to obtain security video surveillance. Investigation into this incident is ongoing.
On Oct. 6 at 6:24 p.m. the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) called the Clearwater RCMP to report a single vehicle collision located at the 2900 block of Highway 5, in Vavenby, B.C.
A male witness had called for an ambulance and was on scene. The complainant said a welding truck had gone off road right, through a BC Hydro pole and the driver was trapped. Const. Klassen attended. Hydro shut down the power. The driver was identified by the photo on his B.C. driver’s license as a Lone Butte man. The driver had actually gotten out of the truck, had some cuts on his arms and appeared to be in shock as he didn’t remember much about the crash. He said he suffers from “brain fog” but he thinks he fell asleep.
He was then transported to the hospital by BCAS where he received stitches on his left arm. The truck, bearing B.C. license plates, was totalled, the front end destroyed by the pole, all windows shattered, and the rear driver door torn off. The hydro lines were fixed later on by a contractor.
Two liquor cans were located outside the truck in its debris. Photos of the truck and scene were obtained. Const. Klassen attended the hospital within the three-hour time period of driving and read the Alcohol Screening Device demand to the driver. He provided two samples, both of which were ‘FAIL’ on the device, therefore a 90-day driving prohibition was served. The truck was towed by our local tow company. Additionally an accident report was completed, in support of the impaired investigation.
On Oct. 7 at 2:28 p.m. a Clearwater man called the RCMP to report fraudulent activity at the Canco Gas Station in Clearwater, B.C. The complainant reported that a black Mercedes with B.C. plates pulled in and the occupants tried to sell them jewelry as they needed gas to get back to Vancouver. This has been a frequently reported scam, wherein the jewelry is sold as authentic and at well over it’s actual value which is typically minimal.
The complainant obtained photos of the vehicle and occupants before they took off on Highway 5 southbound toward Kamloops, B.C. Motor vehicle checks show the vehicle to be a rental from Enterprise Rent-a-Car Canada. The complainant reported that the two vehicle occupants were trying to scam people.
Male and female appeared to have been of Middle Eastern appearance. There was a ten minute time delay of report. The complainant provided photos to Const. Meyer who attached them to the file electronically. A second vehicle appeared to be involved as well.
Vehicle information provided by Sgt. Simpson whom was off duty and obtained plate before the vehicle raced off almost causing a collision attempting to get back onto Highway 5. The Alberta plate provided, indicated another rental as above from Calgary, Alberta. Sgt. Simpson reported that the vehicle looked like a black BMW, however, checks showed plate should be attached to a dark grey Dodge Durango. Likely a misuse of licence plates in order to avoid identification.
Occupants were bald male driver, and a female passenger of Middle Eastern decent. Information passed on to the Barriere RCMP for their patrols while Const. Meyer made his own patrols of local businesses to Little Fort, B.C. and back which were unfortunately negative. Vehicles could have also travelled up Highway 24 toward 100 Mile House detachment area. Police are again reminding people to be aware of the ‘Fake Gold Jewelry Scam’ and to report any suspicious activity such as has been reported herein.
Sgt. Grant Simpson is the detachment commander of the Clearwater RCMP
