Kitimat RCMP weekly report June 22nd - June 28th 2023

Kitimat

2023-06-29 14:52 PDT

Intoxicated in public:

While on routine patrols during the evening hours of June 22nd, 2023, a Kitimat RCMP officer was flagged down by a pedestrian, who reported a possibly intoxicated person laying on the sidewalk around Kingfisher BLVD and Nalabila BLVD, in Kitmat BC. The officer located the subject, who was in fact intoxicated and unable to care for them self. As such, they were arrested for causing a disturbance by being drunk in public and lodged into the Kitimat RCMP cells, being released the following morning without charge. (2023-2247)

2nd intoxicated in public:

A few hours after the first intoxicated in public subject was lodged into the Kitimat RCMP cells, during the early morning hours of June 23rd, a report of persons not paying a taxi fare on the 1000 block of Lahakas Blvd landed another person in the Kitimat cells for the night. The Kitimat RCMP officers found the intoxicated party while investigating the initial complaint. After being arrested for causing a disturbance by being drunk in public, the subject was released from cells the following morning, receiving a violation ticket under the Liquor Control licensing act for being intoxicated in public. (2023-2250)

Found wallet:

A wallet was turned into the Kitimat RCMP detachment, after it was located at a business on the 800 block of Lahakas Blvd, in Kitimat BC on June 23rd. The wallet was turned in with an amount of cash, but no identification. The following day, the Kitimat RCMP received a call advising that a Kitimat resident had lost their wallet. With the assistance of the initial complainant, the wallet was successfully returned to the rightful owner. (2023-2258)

Fraud:

The Kitimat RCMP received a fraud report on June 23rd, 2023. The complainant advised that they had received a text from an unknown number, but the person identified themselves as a family member. A sum of money was sent via e-transfer, to only find out it was not an actual family member. The victim had reported the incident to the Canadian antifraud centre, and reached out to their financial institution. The Kitimat RCMP would like to remind everyone to be aware of the scams that are regularly used, and ensure you understand exactly who you maybe sending money to, before sending it. (2023-2262)

90-day IRP:

While conducting a check stop along the Kitamaat Village Road on June 24th, 2023, a vehicle was stopped and an impaired operation of a motor vehicle investigation was started. After providing a sample of breath into an approved screening device, it was found the driver had consumed alcohol before driving. The driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days. (2023-2296)

No taillights lead to impaired:

While on patrol during the early morning hours of June 25th, 2023, a Kitmat RCMP officer noticed a vehicle travelling along Haisla Blvd and noted there were no illuminated taillights. A traffic stop was conducted and an impaired operation of a vehicle investigation was started. It was found that the driver had alcohol in their system after providing breath samples into an approved screening device. The driver was issued a 90-day immediate driving prohibition and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days. (2023-2297)

Single vehicle collision:

During the early morning hours of June 26th, 2023, the Kitimat RCMP received a report of a single vehicle collision on Highway 37, near the Kitimat River bridge. Upon attendance the driver was found to be uninjured, however the airbags had been deployed. The driver was found to not be impaired by alcohol or drugs. It was believed that the likely fell asleep while driving. The driver was provided a ride to their hotel. The Kitimat RCMP would like to remind all drivers to ensure they pull over to rest, of they find themselves feeling tired while driving. (2023-2316)

Shoplifter charged:

The Kitimat RCMP was dispatched to a business on the 500 block of Mountainveiw Square, in Kitimat BC, for a shoplifting complaint. The investigation officer was advised that the business had stopped a suspect who had left the business without paying for the goods in their possession. The Officer arrested the suspect for theft under $5000 and released them with paperwork to attend court on a future date. Video evidence was also provided showing the same suspect leaving the business a few days earlier, without paying for merchandise as well. (2023-2324)

Impaired by drugs:

On June 26th, 2023, a Kitimat RCMP officer conducted a traffic stop during an investigation. While speaking to the driver, an investigation of operating a vehicle while being impaired was started. It was found that the driver was impaired by drugs, resulting in the driver being issued a 24-hour driving prohibition. The vehicle was also impounded. (2023-2337)

Hit and run:

During the morning commute on June 28th, 2023, the Kitimat RCMP received a report of a hit and run on Haisla BLVD in Kitimat BC. It was found that one vehicle had struck another while attempting to overtake traffic. A description of the offending vehicle was provided and the vehicle was later located at a local business. The investigation is ongoing to identify the driver of the suspect vehicle. (2023-2348)

Victim services therapy dog retiring:

After seven years of providing amazing crisis response and therapy support services to the residents of Kitimat and Kitamaat Village, Ozzie, the Victim services support dog, and his handler Leisl, are hanging up the vest and leash and preparing for retirement at the end of August. Ozzie has been instrumental in assisting victims of crime, of all ages, by being there to listen, providing support and even sitting in the witness stand to assist during court trials. All for the cost of hugs and ear scratches. When not assisting victims, Ozzie was found at schools ‘shaking a paw’ or at the detachment, trying to use his puppy eyes for a taste of donuts, smile cookies or any other treats he thought he should be provided. Ozzie and Leisl will be missed, but the Kitimat RCMP detachment would like to extend a huge thank you for their service and wish them the best on their upcoming retirement. If you’d like to see Ozzie, he will be in the upcoming Canada Day parade starting at Noon on July 1st, 2023. The public will be able to see him at Riverlodge after the parade, and would love to shake a paw, or receive a few more ear scratches.

If you have any information of crimes that have occurred in the Kitimat area, and would like to report it to the police, you can report through Northern BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or through their website www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca. You will stay anonymous and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may receive a reward of up to $2000.

Released by:

Email: robert.gardner@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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