May 20
A 49-year-old male known to police was arrested under the Tobacco Control Act. Police received a report that the man was selling cigarettes to underage youth in a local restaurant. The male confirmed to police he had in fact been selling cigarettes to minors for a small profit. Subsequently the man was written a substantial violation ticket under the Act for selling tobacco to persons under 18.
Also on May 20, police attended to assist Emergency Health Services (EHS) on Kroeker Road near Smithers at 7:40 p.m. A motorbike accident occurred when a 13-year-old male and a 14-year-old female were driving southbound on the road on two separate dirt bikes. The male, driving a blue Yamaha, pulled up to the left of the female, driving a Honda. The Honda pulled sharply to the left causing the back wheel to be struck by the Yamaha. Both riders were ejected from their bikes and the male suffered a slight scratch to the back of his left calf, and the female suffered a double compound fracture to her left calf. Both were wearing helmets, but there was no insurance or driver’s licenses for either, which is required on a public roadway. A violation ticket under the MVA was issued for having no insurance.
May 21
Police are looking for public information after a green 1999 Volkswagen Jetta was stolen from a residence on Driftwood Crescent. The vehicle was stolen sometime between 10 p.m. the previous night and 7 a.m. in the morning. There were no tools or glass left at the scene. Later that day, the Jetta was located at the bottom of Dohler Road and Rosenthal Road. The vehicle appeared undamaged and was left open and it looked as though the vehicle was stuck in the ditch. Anyone with information on this theft is asked to call the detachment at 250-847-3233.
May 22
Police attended to a single vehicle rollover on Owens Road in Smithers. When police arrived they located the 16-year-old male driver next to a grey Toyota Echo, which had already been put upright by neighbours. The driver admitted he had no licence, was not wearing a seatbelt and lost control on the corner. He also indicated he took the vehicle without the consent of the registered owner. The driver was issued a ticket under the MVA for driving without due care, no driver’s licence and no seatbelt.
General
Over the past week, RCMP responded to 35 complaints of intoxicated persons in public, which made up approximately one-third of their calls.
A large number of counterfeit University of Western Ontario cheques have been sent and cashed in various parts of Canada. The scammer will select names from public advertisements and send the fraudulent cheques to the unsuspecting person for them to cash. They are instructed to return a portion of the amount to the original sender. In many cases, the people are purportedly sent the cheque for Internet purchases. People are being warned to be vigilant if they receive any cheques.
The Smithers RCMP have recently had numerous complaints about dirtbikes and ATVs in the Smithers and Telkwa areas, primarily regarding noise, trespassing on private property and damage to property. The RCMP would like to remind persons engaged in these activities to respect the rights of property owners and their private land use. Damages or ongoing excessive noise may result in charges of mischief.
Meanwhile, the RCMP are happy to announce that with warmer temperatures the detachment here has committed resources to bike patrols in Smithers. These patrols will focus on crime prevention through targeting of hot spots, enforcement, and education utilization the positive ticketing program. This will also allow police to patrol some of the backwoods areas in town. The public can also expect continued police presence on foot and bike during many community events taking place in and around Smithers throughout the season.