Phony firearms, drunk driving and drugs keep Penticton officers busy

PENTICTON – In addition to answering the usual calls for assistance, calls about an axe handle disguised as a gun and a break and enter to the local bottle depot kept Penticton RCMP busy last week.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Penticton RCMP stopped a man on Highway 97 just outside of Penticton and discovered he was driving while prohibited, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says. Police then discovered a rifle, which was seized, and the vehicle was also impounded.

A woman arrested for shoplifting at Walmart on Oct. 27 was found to be carrying marijuana and methamphetamine as well. She was released on a promise to appear on charges of drug possession and theft under $5,000.

Overnight Oct. 27 an orange and white Arctic Cat ME snowmobile was reported stolen from an Apex residence.

A man was discovered in a Salvation Army dumpster overnight on Oct. 28. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and was taken to the detachment jail to sober up. He was released the following morning on a promise to appear on possession charges.

Also overnight Wednesday, the Quickstop car wash in Okanagan Falls was broken into. Video surveillance showed two men stealing cigarettes and candy. Police continue to investigate the break in.

Police were called to the Granada Motel Friday, Oct. 30, to a report of a man being threatened by another man with a firearm. Further investigation revealed the firearm was actually an axe handle and flashlight taped together. The suspect was discovered to have outstanding warrants, but had departed upon police arrival at the motel. The man was later arrested.

On Friday evening, a Penticton resident reported a black 2012 Chrysler 200 was taken without permission by her son. Police later located the vehicle at a road check, where the vehicle was impounded and the driver given a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition.

Also on Friday evening, another motorist was asked to provide a breath sample, which failed. He was also issued a 90-day prohibition.

Police reported an attempted break and enter at the J&C Bottle Depot on Rosetown Avenue overnight Sunday, Nov.1. A window was broken but it did not appear anything was missing. Police are continuing their investigation.

Overnight Sunday, someone broke into the fenced compound surrounding the Kaleden Irrigation District pump house and cut a fuel line connected to a generator stored in the district’s pickup truck. Fuel was siphoned and several hand tools were stolen. The pump house was not accessed.

A vehicle on Roblin Street was broken into overnight Nov. 1. A red GM pickup was entered by pushing down a partially open window. A purse was taken, many of the items which were inside found later on Eraut Street. A second vehicle break in occurred on Industrial Avenue near the Penticton Regional Hospital. The vehicle was rummaged through, but nothing was taken.

On Monday, Nov. 2, police recovered a paddleboat on Hudson Road, reported stolen during the summer. The boat is being returned to its owner.

A motor vehicle collision on Monday night, Nov. 2, at Skaha Lake Road and Sandhill Road resulted in a pickup truck hitting a large power transformer. A man and woman in the vehicle, appearing intoxicated, fled on foot and were last seen jumping a fence on a golf course. A police dog was brought in to assist in the search for the two but a strong tracking scent disappeared abruptly near a vineyard. The truck was discovered to have been stolen out of Oliver on the weekend. Police continue their investigation into the incident.

To contact a 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.