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Glynn Brothen
Inmate threatened to stab his guard with a broken meal tray
KAMLOOPS – A man well known to police and prison cells was sentenced to another year in prison after his conviction today for threatening to stab his prison guard at the Kamloops Regional Correction Centre. Travis Kelly, 26, has a lengthy criminal record including over 50 convictions, 12 of which are violent offenses. He has...
Man with history of distributing child pornography sentenced after breaching condition
KAMLOOPS – A man convicted of sending child pornography to elementary schools got more time added to his sentence today for breaching a condition of his probation order. Lowell Swetman, 49, was convicted of failing to comply with an order to stay away from children under the age of 16. On June 5, 2013, RCMP...
Riverside stabbing has police looking for suspect
KAMLOOPS – RCMP are investigating a riverside stabbing which took place on the 100 block of Tranquille Road around 5 p.m. on May 21. According to Cpl. Cheryl Bush, a man went to a tented area to speak with a woman when he was approached and stabbed by another man unknown to him. The victim’s...
Make May long-weekend a safe one
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Government agencies are advising May long-weekend travelers to remain safe and informed when planning vacation trips. ICBC reports, on average, a total of 1700 crashes occur on the long-weekend. Drivers are advised to plan trips ahead and avoid rushing to a destination. Police will target high-risk behaviours such as speeding, failing to yield,...
Kamloops man sentenced to U.S. prison
LOS ANGELES – A Kamloops man found guilty of operating a gang-related cocaine-smuggling operation from Mexico received an 11 and a half year jail sentence in the United States on May 12, according to the Vancouver Sun. U.S. District Court Judge George H. Wu delivered the sentence to John Darrel Krokos, 43, of Kamloops, B.C....
RCMP seize extensive cache of firearms, stolen property
KAMLOOPS – Cocaine, marijuana, a crossbow, flat-screen TVs, dozens of guns, ammunition and more are the latest cache grab stored at the Kamloops RCMP detachment. Insp. Brad Mueller shared the results of a three-month investigation into what RCMP believe are gang-related drug activities and led to seven arrests May 7 and 8. Six were released on...
Rivers rising following rain and snow-melt
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has released a high stream flow advisory for rivers within the Thompson- Okanagan region. The high stream is attributed to high temperatures melting the region’s mid-level snow pack. Levels will also be affected by a moderate amount of rain (10-50 mm) expected over...
Crack cocaine relapse leads to theft, robbery, prison
KAMLOOPS – A man recovering from a downward spiral involving crack-cocaine and a cheating partner was handed a 90-day jail sentence in Kamloops Provincial Court for robbing a clerk at knife-point and stealing from his employer. Lorne Steven Valliers, 34, was convicted of charges relating to forging cheques, stealing over $5,000 and robbing a convenience...
Homeless man from Ashcroft injured in blast, being treated in Vancouver
ASHCROFT – A homeless man is being treated for burns at Vancouver General Hospital after lighting a cigarette near a leaky propane tank around 9:30 a.m. yesterday morning. The 71-year-old was staying in a tent near a railroad siding, owned by Ashcroft Terminal. “He had a propane tank inside the tent that we suspect was...
Arrest made in 4 Ave. robbery
KAMLOOPS - A local man known to police was arrested for his role in a boutique store robbery that occurred April 16. Sasha Reginald Brubaker, 24, is facing charges of robbery and possession of stolen property over $5,000. The robbery details included a man entering the store on fourth avenue, presenting an exacto knife and demanding money...
Two convicted in botched armed robbery
KAMLOOPS – Two Kelowna men were convicted while a third was acquitted on charges related to a botched robbery involving a duffel bag full of weapons. Rick Herd, born 1984, and Joel McLean, born 1987, were convicted of possessing a restricted firearm and ammunition without a proper license. The two were involved in an attempted invasion...
TRU adding even more emergency phones despite low crime rate
KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University is spending thousands of dollars on new emergency phones on campus without any metrics on use and a perpetually low crime rate. The university has recently replaced and added 28 more two-button phones with hot lines directly to campus security or 9-1-1, bringing the total to 38—far more than several...
Judge believes ‘very little’ but drops robbery and threat charges
KAMLOOPS - Fabricated stories from both sides resulted in dropped robbery and threat charges for a man familiar to courts. Trevor Wilvers, 36, originally faced several charges alleging he held a knife to the neck of a friend to get cash for a lost motorhome, but the charges were dropped because he suspected no one told...
Kamloops woman could make one-way trip to Mars
KAMLOOPS – Only 705 people in the world can say they’re in the running for a trip to Mars – Raine Light is one of them. The 30-year-old Kamloops paramedic applied for the Mars One project last year because it peaked her interest. “Whenever I see something really interesting I want to learn more; I want...
Dismembered eagles still under investigation
KAMLOOPS – The provincial conservation office received leads following the discovery of 9 eagle torsos in a ditch, but the investigation remains ongoing. "We appreciate what we've received but the more the better," Sgt. Andy Mackay with the Conservation office said. The nine bird bodies were stripped of claws, wings, tail feathers and heads. Eight...
Trial for accused in death of teen to begin this fall
KAMLOOPS – A man charged with murdering his 16-year-old girlfriend will continue the beginning stages of his trial this fall. Damien Lawrence Taylor, born 1991, is facing second degree murder charges in the death of C.J. Fowler. RCMP told media Fowler and Taylor were dating. Fowler was from Terrace and would regularly visit Kamloops to...
Perks of Being a Wallflower book to stay in schools
CONCERNED PARENT SAYS HE WILL NOT FILE AN APPEAL KAMLOOPS – Administration at School District 73 have decided a controversial book will remain in schools, much to the chagrin of a concerned father. Dean Audet received a letter from the district last month. He says the letter stated the decision and outlined reasons to keep...
RCMP still investigating links to robberies
SUSPECT HAS LENGTHY CRIMINAL HISTORY KAMLOOPS – Police are still trying to determine if the man arrested in connection to a robbery at Shoppers Drug Mart is connected to several other robberies in town. Joseph Welsh, born 1980, has been charged with one count of robbery, two counts of possessing stolen property and four counts...
Man involved with drug ring pleads guilty
KAMLOOPS – A local man with ties to an organized cocaine operation pleaded guilty to two drug charges in Kamloops Supreme Court yesterday. Jean-Claude Auger, 38, is one of eight Kamloops men charged after an RCMP sting discovered an organized cocaine dial-a-dope operation. The group operated from February until October of 2012. RCMP uncovered the...
Delays in Snelson manslaughter re-trial
KAMLOOPS – A Kelowna man awarded a new trial for manslaughter—scheduled this time in Kamloops—is still waiting to set a re-trial date as he now searches for a new lawyer. Neil Snelson said his trial lawyer, Wade Jenson—also the lawyer who argued the new trial should be moved to Kamloops—is no longer representing him. Snelson was...
EDITOR’S NOTE: The most comprehensive events listings for the Thompson-Okanagan
How far would you travel to see a show you really want to see? We bet you would drive at least a couple hours to see a good show at Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre, Prospera Place in Kelowna the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops or the Performing Arts Centre in Vernon. We bring you...
An unusual request by an accused murderer
KAMLOOPS – A man facing charges including first degree murder and obstruction of justice was partially granted an odd request before his trial. Peter Ernest Edward Beckett was looking for hard-copies of disclosure documents as he represents himself in court. He was charged with the first degree murder of his wife in August 2010. He...
Police warn of overseas phone scam
THOMPSON OKANAGAN – RCMP are warning the public about a telephone scam in which the caller pretends to be an officer threatening arrest and deportation if a financial penalty is not paid. The caller claims to be with the revenue department of the RCMP – a department that doesn’t exist. The Kamloops detachment received reports of...
RCMP warning longboarders of bylaws, fines
KAMLOOPS – RCMP are reminding skateboarders and longboarders to take precautions when it comes to riding on city streets. Cpl. Cheryl Bush says it’s important for riders to take note of the restricted areas in the city, which include the downtown core, the North Shore area around Tranquille road and 16 steep grade roads. Bush...