Police patrols respond to impaired octogenarian and other offences in Penticton

PENTICTON – It was a busy week for local RCMP as they dealt with a variety of infractions while patrolling area highways last week.

Police received several complaints of an erratic driver behind the wheel of a grey Chevy Cobalt on Tuesday afternoon, Sept.1.

The vehicle was located shortly after it struck another vehicle, but it fled the scene, according to RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth. Police did not pursue the car but did located it a short time later near Lee and Yorkton Avenues, where it was followed to the Sunny Beach Motel and intercepted.

An 82-year-old Summerland man driving the vehicle failed a roadside breathalyzer and received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. The car was impounded and numerous tickets issued to the man, who did not have a valid drivers license.

Around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, Penticton RCMP spotted a white, Ford F350 pickup on Vancouver Hill.  When police attempted to pull the vehicle over, it sped away and police were unable to determine whether or not the vehicle was stolen at that time.

Later that morning, Action Security reported a 2007 X-star Mastercraft boat had been stolen from in front of a Penticton business. Video evidence revealed two men in a white F350, license plate number FB 2598, backing up to the boat and trailer around 3 a.m. The pair used a grinder to cut the lock and chain securing the unit. The trailer has B.C. plate number UJE 96X.

A registered sex offender from the United States managed to make his way into Canada, only to be arrested by Penticton RCMP on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Acting on information supplied by the Canadian Border Services Agency, Robert Rainwater was arrested while visiting friends at a Heron Drive residence in Penticton. He was handed over to  border services  who charged him with illegal entry into the country.

Drug task force members located Queenie Kruger on Fairview Road on Wednesday, Sept. 2, where they found her in breach of several conditions. She was arrested after being found in possession of several knives, marijuana, and heroin. She pled guilty on all counts in court the following day and was sentenced to three days, released on time served.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.