Weekly Media Release - Trail and Greater District RCMP - 2023-04-12

Trail and Greater District

2023-04-12 15:09 PDT

CFSEU Uniform Gang Enforcement Team seizes drug and weapons in Fruitvale, BC

File # 2023-519

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, the CFSEU Uniform Gang Enforcement Team seized firearms, ammunition, suspected illicit drugs and other drug trafficking related items from a vehicle and residence during an investigation in Fruitvale, BC.

UGET arrested a 40-year-old man, a 33-year-old Fruitvale man, 33-year-old Fruitvale woman, and 33-year-old Trail woman. All four suspects were released pending further investigation into an alleged drug trafficking and weapon possession offence.

UGET has been traveling BC to assist smaller rural detachments with local high priority targets believed to be trafficking drugs and in possession of weapons. Trail RCMP appreciates and supports their efforts to curb drug trafficking and prevent future violence during their operation in the Kootenay, says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Click here for larger image: CFSEU Uniform Gang Enforcement Team seizes drug and weapons in Fruitvale, BC.

Impaired Driving

File # 2023-1509

On Friday, April 7, 2023, at 9:16 p.m., a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer was conducting a routine patrol when he observed a 60-year-old Trail man in a 2005 Chevrolet Blazer leaving a licenced establishment on Schofield Highway, near Warfield, BC. The officer detained the man and his vehicle roadside.

The officer made observations that led him to believe the man’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. The officer entered into an investigation. The officer read a demand to the man, who provided a sample of breath roadside that resulted in a warn.

The 60-year-old Trail man was issued a 7-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) under Section 215 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act.

Woman in distress apprehended by Trail RCMP

File # 2023-1528

On Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 9:51 a.m., Trail and Greater District RCMP officers and Kootenay Boundary Fire Rescue responded to a distraught woman on the Trail bluffs near 1200 Hospital Bench Road, in Trail, BC.

Trail RCMP officers used verbal de-escalation techniques to talk to the women off the edge of a cliff and back to a safe area. The officers safely closed the distance between them and her as the conversation continued. The woman’s behaviour led officers to believe she may harm herself. The officers were able to get close enough to physically prevent the woman from jumping from the cliff.

Once safely secured, KBFRF extracted the woman off the rocky cliff to a safe area using high rope rescue techniques. Trail RCMP officers escorted the woman to the hospital for medical treatment.

My officers approached this situation with a good plan, used de-escalation techniques appropriately, and put themselves at risk to safely apprehend the distressed woman. We would like to thank KBRFR for their assistance in extracting the woman to safety. No one was injured during this event despite it being a high-risk situation for all involved, says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Mudslide east of Fruitvale, BC

File # 2023-1549

On Monday, April 11, 2023, at 5:55 a.m., a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer responded to a mudslide on Highway 3 B, located two kilometers east of Fruitvale, BC. No one was injured, but private property sustained some damage from floodwater and mud. The road was re-opened shortly after the incident.

Click here to view larger image: Mudslide east of Fruitvale, BC

Dognapping!

File # 2023-1551

On Monday, April 11, 2023, at 7:29 a.m., frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers responded to a report of a dog-napping in the 1400 block of Bay Avenue, in Trail, BC. A 26-year-old Trail man claimed his 6-week-old puppy was not returned to him after paying someone to walk him.

The officers located the allegedly stolen puppy in the possession of a 47-year-old Trail man. The man said he received the dog from another person, and not the 26-year-old man claiming ownership. The man surrendered the puppy to the officers after admitting he did not return the puppy at an arranged time.

Trail RCMP were notified that a second person also claimed to own the puppy.

The puppy, nicknamed Gary, will be turned over into the care of the Castlegar SPCA until the investigation is completed.

This is an unusual case for the police. Trail RCMP believes Gary may be stolen and will try to determine ownership before Gary’s return. Unfortunately, interviewing Gary himself wasn’t much help to us. – says Sgt. Wicentowich

Anyone with information about this incident or claiming ownership can call the Trail Detachment at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator.

Cougar in area

On Sunday, April 10, 2023, Trail and Greater District RCMP received information that a cougar had been captured on a surveillance camera in the neighbourhood of Glenmerry, in Trail. BC.

Trail RCMP recommends taking precautions, such as keeping pets inside at night.

Please contact the Trail Detachment at 250-364-2566 or BC Conservation Officer at 1-877-952-7277 if you spot this cougar in your neighbourhood.

Trail and Greater District RCMP 2023 1st Quarter Statistics

Highlights for the 1st Quarter:

Calls went up from 1163 in 2022 to 1324 in 2023 (+161).

Break and enters rose from 5 to 14.

Drug investigations dropped from 22 down to 9 (-13) reflecting the new drug de-criminalization policy enacted in BC.

25 drivers were charged for driving while impaired.

Mental health related calls dropped from 75 to 50.

Unspecified assistance calls rose from 102 to 227 to reflect more calls to the police to request assistance with non-criminal related issues.

Released by:

Email: james.grandy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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