Submitted by
Sgt. G.D. Simpson
October 5
Clearwater RCMP received a call at 4:01 p.m. from a Blue River woman who told them that a Coquitlam man had just stolen her father’s truck and was driving towards Vancouver with it. The woman had tried to stop him, but he kept driving, dragging her along with the vehicle, which was a 1990 red and silver Dodge W150 pickup.
Cst. Klassen and Cst. Van Woudenberg patrolled Highway 5 looking for the vehicle. The truck was later spotting by Raft River Bridge and police turned and followed the suspect. The Coquitlam man turned onto Murtle Crescent and ended up in the parking lot behind Buy-Low Foods.
The man was arrested by Cst. Klassen, who gave him his rights and cautions. A search of the man revealed some money, a picture and a lighter. He was also advised of his Charter rights to seek counsel by Cst. Van Woudenberg. The man responded that he understood and wished to speak to a lawyer, a decision he later recinded at the detachment. A supplementary Charter warning was given by the Cst., to which the man replied that he understood, but still didn’t wish to speak to a lawyer.
He was placed into cell and was held for BC Sheriffs due to outstanding, unendorsed warrants out of Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, New Westminser and Richmond, B.C.
The pickup was driven back to Blue River by a friend of the family who were updated on police action taken.
The following day, the male was served an appearance notice for theft of a motor vehicle and assault with a weapon. The sheriffs arrived at 10:25 a.m. and the male asked to speak with duty council, after which he consented to be remanded in custody.
Cst. Van Woudenberg conducted a phone interview with the Blue River woman, confirming the male had taken the vehicle without consent and had dragged her along with the truck when taking it. It was also confirmed there was no further damage to the truck and no one had permission to drive it.
Investigation into this incident is ongoing.
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October 10
Both Clearwater RCMP and Southeast District RCMP conducted a roadblock on Highway 5 at approximately 9:00 p.m. at the Clearwater River Bridge in Clearwater, B.C.
Cst. Lockwood observed a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro approach the roadblock with a license plate in the front window. He then observed the back rear passenger to be a male from Kamloops he knew had an outstanding unendorsed warrant.
The driver and registered owner of the vehicle was a local 32-year-old male while the other passenger was identified as a 26-year-old Kamloops man.
Cst. Lockwood observed what he believed to be a meth pipe sitting in the empty seat beside one of the passengers. All occupants were arrested for possession of a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Cst. Klassen arrested and gave the 26-year-old Kamloops man his Charter rights, as well as a Charter warning. Cst. Van Woudenberg arrested, Chartered and warned the local man and Cst. Lockwood arrested, Chartered and warned the 35-year-old Kamloops male. While arresting this male at the passenger side of the Camaro, Cst. Lockwood observed what appeared to be the butt of a sawed off firearm in a large hiking-style backpack. A further search, incidental to arrest, yielded a sawed-off SKS assault rifle, loaded with four rounds.
Score sheets with line contacts, knives and cash were also found in the backpack. Cst. Lockwood located the 26-year-old Kamloops man’s wallet in the backpack with his driver’s license and his Correctional Service of Canada inmate card with matching photo.
The 35-year-old Kamloops male was held for court on his warrants. The local male was released with no charges at this time. The other Kamloops man was released on an undertaking with conditions.
Investigation is ongoing.
Clearwater RCMP responded to 38 calls last week.
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Sgt. G.D. Simpson is the detachment commander at the Clearwater RCMP detachment.
Anyone with information on a crime is encouraged to call Clearwater RCMP at 250-674-2237 or to report anonymously, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.