Clearwater RCMP responded to 26 calls for service this past week including a male wearing a mask and carrying weapons as well as having to spike belt an uncooperative speeding car on Highway 5.
Detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson noted on March 18, a Red Deer Alberta man called RCMP reporting he was driving a tractor trailer hauling a B train and a small black SUV crossed the centre line and collided with his trailer. The trailer appeared to be fine and neither party were injured.
“Cpl. McGeorge spoke to the driver of the other vehicle, a 45-year-old Valemount man,” said Simpson. “He advised he was driving a B.C. license plated 2024 Volkswagen sedan northbound on Highway 5 when he noticed all the pre-crash warnings go off before he collided with the trailer.”
The vehicle was a rental owned by a company out of Surrey B.C. The driver advised Cpl. McGeorge that he didn’t believe he crossed the centre line, but it was possible as it happened so quickly.
“No damage occurred to the B train, so the complainant continued on his way. The Valemount man just happens to own a tow company and already contacted his employee to come pick him up. Parties exchanged information, no need for police attendance. Police file number provided for insurance purposes,” said Simpson.
On Wednesday March 20 while conducting patrols on an unrelated investigation, Sgt. Simpson received a text advising of a suspicious male wandering around Brookfield Mall near the Royal Bank wearing a skull mask. Simpson conducted patrols in the area but did not locate anyone wearing a mask. While doubling back on Young Road Simpson passed by a male who is known to him.
“I observed white latex rubber protruding from the male’s left jacket pocket,” said Simpson. “Believing this could be the described skull mask I stopped and spoke to the male who was forthcoming and produced the mask, confirming he’d been wearing it.”
Sgt. Simpson then seized the mask, arresting and apprehending the male for disguise with intent. He was chartered, warned, and handcuffed.
“He indicated to me that he understood his rights and proceeded to say that he was carrying a large knife, and a hatchet as well as nun-chucks, all for personal safety, as he is extremely concerned for his personal safety,” Simpson said. “He advised that he had just come to town to purchase some cannabis at the local dispensary in the mall. A paper bag with commercially packaged cannabis was found on the male in addition to the weapons. All weapons were seized as evidence along with the mask.”
On Mar 22 at 4:19 p.m. Const. Tobin spike belted a 2018 Porsche Panamera after it first failed to stop for Valemount RCMP driving 162 kilometers per hour in 100 km/h zone as well as speeding around a stop signal and through a construction zone.
”The Porsche is owned by a 24-year-old Vancouver man (not present), possibly driven by a 24-year-old Burnaby man, or possibly a 22-year-old Coquitlam man,” Simpson said. “Police are working on confirming who was actually driving at the time. There was also a 24-year-old female passenger from North Vancouver in the vehicle.”
Simpson explained that moments before being spike-belted the vehicle failed to stop for Cpl. Schneider of Clearwater B.C. Highway Patrol (BCHP) on Highway 5 near Davy Road. The plan to spike-belt the vehicle had been previously cleared with the divisional duty officer.
“After being spiked the Porsche drove approximately 2.5 kilometers before stopping on Highway 5 at Candle Creek Road with both male occupants fleeing on foot south bound into the bush just prior to police arrival. Neither male was observed leaving the driver’s seat by Cpl. Schneider who was first to arrive at the car,” Simpson said.
Cpl. Schneider arrested the Coquitlam male and a short distance away the Burnaby male was located roughly 20 minutes later by Const. Meyer, Simpson noted.
Const. Tobin located the female in the rear passenger side. The vehicle was impounded, and the registered owner spoken to by Const. Tobin. He advised he gave permission to the Burnaby male to use the car (not stolen). Approximately $3,000 of cash was seized from the Coquitlam male, with no drugs or weapons located. The female was released at the scene refusing to provide a statement. Watch guard and social media video are being reviewed with the view to identify the driver. Police are also requesting anyone with dashcam video of this vehicle or who may have witnessed it being driven or abandoned in the middle of Highway 5 to contact them or Crimestoppers, should they wish to remain anonymous.