Kimberley RCMP are reminding residents that with the arrival of warmer weather, members will be watching the roads closely. That got off to a busy start this past weekend at Kimberley officers were called to a number of different road offences.
KImberley Detachment Commander, Sgt. Chris Newell, reports in a press releaes that at around 2 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 1, a truck was observed driving erratically on Ross St in Kimberley. A traffic stop was conducted and the officers noted the driver to have signs of impairment by alcohol. A breath demand was read and the driver provided two breath samples, resulting in a “Warn” each time. The truck was impounded and the drivers licence was suspended for three days.
At 1:30 p.m., RCMP received a report of vehicle operating on the Northstar Rails to Trails in Marysville. The city bylaw prohibits motor vehicles from operating on the trails and the driver was charged.
At 3 p.m., a different truck was observed travelling south between Kimberley and Marysville without licence plates. When the officer tried to conduct a traffic stop, the truck fled South through Marysville at a high rate of speed. In the interest of public safety, RCMP did not pursue the truck but it was located a short time later, abandoned by the Trap and Skeet Club on Highway 95A. The driver fled on foot but with the assistance of a Police dog team and Cranbrook RCMP Members, the driver was located and arrested and is facing charges including Flight from Police and Dangerous Driving. The driver is known to police and is currently in custody and will appear in Cranbrook Provincial Court on Monday.
Later around 5:30 p.m. a car was observed travelling at a very high rate of speed and passing cars illegally, just North of Marysville on Highway 95A. Police were able to conduct a traffic stop with the vehicle but the driver fled on foot into the nearby woods. The Police dog team was again, but the driver could not be located. A very small amount of drugs and paraphernalia were located, hidden in the car and the vehicle was seized under the Motor Vehicle Act. The driver is well known to Kimberley RCMP and a Warrant will be sought for the drivers arrest on Criminal Code and Motor Vehicle Act offences.
On Saturday night officers conducted several hours of road checks in the Wasa area as a result of complaints received. Officers were able to take a pro-active approach in an effort to curtail further problems.