From meth use to mischief to spitting on a cop cruiser, Penticton RCMP again kept busy

PENTICTON – It was a week filled with drugs, vandalism, guns and theft for members of the Penticton RCMP.

A man high on meth attempted to check himself into emergency on Wednesday evening, Sept. 9. He was refused admission and threatened to go outside to the parking lot and start smashing windshields, which caught the attention of the RCMP. He was arrested and found in possession of a knife and drug paraphanalia, as well as being in breach of probation. He was charged for uttering threats, mischief and breach and held for court.

Four vehicles were damaged in the Penticton Toyota parking lot early Thursday morning, Sept. 10. Video surveillance showed a group of youth walking north along Skaha Lake Road, when one of the group walked up to a row of new Corollas, jumping hood to hood, causing significant damage and dents to each vehicle. The culprit was identified and the incident continues to be investigated.

A gun complaint at the Penticton Recreation Centre on Power Street came in Monday morning, Sept. 15. A young man in a red hoodie was seen carrying a handgun. He was located by police and found to be carrying a black replica revolver BB gun. Although not illegal to be in possession of a BB gun, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth notes the lack of good judgement shown in carrying the replica in full view of the public, across the street from a public school.

A man and woman were caught stealing a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick from a property on Brooks Place. The owner went outside to find the woman sitting in the driver’s seat while she and the man attempted to roll the vehicle down the street. The owner was able to stop the two and hold them until police arrived. The woman was found to have warrants from Langley and Penticton and was found in possession of break and enter tools. The man was also found to possess break and enter tools. The two were charged with theft, possession of break and enter tools, possession of concealed weapons and breach of probation. The man also had an outstanding warrant from Prince George. The two are being held in custody for an appearance in court.

A report of a body in a tarp washed up on the shore of Okanagan Lake was investigated by police and found to be a sleeping bag wrapped inside a tarp.

A man with 44 previous convictions on his record picked the wrong time to spit on the side window of a police cruiser. Police were rounding the corner of the Highland Motel on foot Monday morning, Sept. 14, when the man was seen spitting on the vehicle’s window.The 56-year-old man was asked to clean up the mess, then charged with mischief and causing a disturbance. He has a November court date.

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.