The 100 Mile House RCMP is implementing a speed watch program in the South Cariboo.
Sgt. Brian Lamb said they have teamed up with the 100 Mile House Citizens on Patrol for the program, which assists in "identifying and responding to reported problem areas where aggressive driving has been observed." Lamb said that speeds are recorded and provided to police and that the program has been utilized in the District of 100 Mile, along Horse Lake Road, Forest Grove and 108 Mile Ranch.
The RCMP said that it has been noted that the large majority of the motoring public have been adhering to the posted speed limits in these areas - although there have been some instances where what would be considered aggressive driving has been reported. Lamb noted this is not meant as a replacement for enforcement, however, "it does provide Police with valuable information to assess and direct enforcement where necessary."
Lamb said RCMP have been receiving a large call volume of aggressive drivers in the area and because of calls from the public and proactive efforts, "an increased number of impaired and prohibited drivers have been taken off the road during the spring and summer months to date." In addition, the RCMP say that a number of aggressive drivers have been stopped and dealt with by way of warnings or by violation tickets - and that BC Highway Patrol has a "number of proactive initiatives targeting aggressive, impaired and distracted drivers throughout the calendar year." The RCMP say that the speed watch program will continue to be utilized throughout the community along with proactive enforcement to keep area roadways safe.
RCMP respond to criminal mischief
RCMP responded to 117 calls for service between July 9 and July 16 including three calls involving criminal mischief.
The first incident regarding mischief was reported on July 9, when the RCMP received a report of a theft of fuel from a vehicle located on Sandhill Crescent and Heron Ridge Road. Sometime after June 22, the vehicle's full tank had been drilled into and its gas was drained.
The second incident occurred on July 14, when the RCMP responded to a report of alleged mischief to a building on Tatton Station Road. The RCMP said it was reported that "unknown person(s) turned an outside water tap on causing flooding and potential water damage to the property."
Lamb said the final incident occurred on July 15 when RCMP received a report of a vehicle's window being smashed on Wrangler Way. RCMP do not know if anything was taken from the vehicle.
Vehicle theft
RCMP received two reports of theft related to vehicles last week.
The first vehicle was reported stolen on July 13 from a residence on Lower Stack Road in Bridge Lake. Sometime between July 11 and 13 the vehicle a white 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 with BC license plates SP1080 was taken from the property. RCMP have been unable to recover the vehicle.
On July 15, the RCMP received a report of theft from a vehicle on the 500 block of Birch Avenue - where they say sometime between July 13 at 4:15 PM and the time of the report, "a vehicle was entered and a wallet and identification were taken."
BnE suspects arrested
On July 11, the RCMP recieved a report of an alleged break and enter in progress "to a residence located on Ranchette Road." Lamb said that "police attended the residence and located a male and female who had broken a window to gain entry." The RCMP arrested both for breaking and entering without incident. In addition, the RCMP say that the occupants of the home were not there at the time of the break-in and that the incident remains under investigation.
Impaired driver given suspension
On July 13, the RCMP received a report of an alleged possibly impaired driver on Highway 24 near Lone Butte. Upon attending and locating the parked vehicle, the RCMP said that the driver was apparently sleeping and when awoken, showed "symptoms of drug use." Lamb said that the driver admitted to using an illicit depressant earlier in the day. Subsequently, the driver was issued a 24-hour suspension from driving.
MVI on Highway 24
Also on Saturday, RCMP received a report of a "crashed vehicle on Highway 24 near Bleeker Road. Lamb said that police, fire, and ambulance all attended the scene, where "a vehicle was located down an embankment into a field where a single occupant was found trapped inside." The driver was extracted from the vehicle and taken to hospital with injuries that were undetermined at the time of the incident. The RCMP request any witnesses to the incident call the 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456.
Facebook marketplace fraud
On July 14, the RCMP received a report of fraud taking place as a result of a sale on Facebook Marketplace. Lamb said the complainant reported that they were selling an item and that the buyer had sent a QR code to accept an e-transfer.
The complainant said that after attempting to process an e-transfer with the QR code, they checked their bank account and noticed "a large sum of money missing from two separate transactions" according to the RCMP. The RCMP suspect the buyer might have been using a suspected fake Facebook account and the QR code clicked may have likely accessed the complainant's banking information.
Lamb said that "when dealing with a sale on marketplace whether it be a buyer or seller to try and only deal in person to confirm the item and persons actually exist". RCMP advise the public not to click any suspicious links, QR codes or send e-transfer funds without seeing the item first and meeting the buyer/seller.
Hit and run reported
On July 15, the RCMP received a report of a hit and run on the 7000 block of Corner Frontage Road. The incident, which the RCMP say occurred on July 13 at 3 p.m., involved a vehicle described as a lifted black GMC truck with a large steel bumper and broken back window which struck a parked vehicle at the location. The RCMP said that the person driving the truck then promptly left the scene.
Vehicle fire
Finally, on the same day, the RCMP said that they received a report of a vehicle on fire on Highway 97 on Lac La Hache. The police attended with local fire departments who extinguished the fire. The RCMP said that the driver reported the vehicle had caught fire when being driven. There were no injuries.
Anyone with information about these incidents or others should contact the 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456 or anonymously 24 hours a day at Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at bccrimestoppers.com.
