From the files of the Prince Rupert Detachment-- May 7, 2010

Another week of investigation and revelations from the files of the local RCMP.




The week of May 31 to June 6 saw the local detachment respond to 198 calls for assistance.

On Saturday night at 6:30 p.m., an RCMP member located two intoxicated youth hanging out on a residential street. The youths decided that it would be funny to provide the member with false names. I don’t think they thought it was so funny when they were arrested for Obstruction. One youth was released to the care of his parents while the other waited in cells for a parent to pick him up.

You know your town needs more clean affordable housing when... Late Wednesday night a male showed up at the detachment to turn himself in. Apparently the male woke up to finds rats in his room. He is on a curfew and conditions to be in that residence so he came to the detachment and was arrested for breaching his conditions so he could have a clean and safe place to sleep.

Pickups and recreational vehicles are still being targeted in our community. One of the suspects has been arrested on other charges, but RCMP believe at least three males are involved in these thefts. One of the males has been linked to criminal activity all along Hwy. 16 from Prince George to Rupert. Let’s be the community that makes it stop! Please report suspicious activity around vehicles and do not leave your vehicles unattended for long periods of time. If the vehicle must be left, always use a steering wheel lock.

Prince Rupert Search and Rescue found a hiker from the Netherlands who had called RCMP to say he was lost on Mt. Hays. A reminder to adventurers: It is best to head out with a buddy or two and make sure to let someone know where you will be at and when you are expected back. Be prepared and take enough food and water as well as a noise maker. A cell phone is not a replacement for good ole fashion common sense.

RCMP were in the right place at the right time on Saturday night when they suddenly heard a female screaming for help. The members were in the area on another matter but quickly responded to the screams. They located a female who was bleeding from the mouth and appeared to have sustained an injury to her head. The victim stated that a male had punched her. RCMP arrested the male for assault and he was later released in the morning on a court date and conditions to have no contact with the victim.

An RCMP member was making patrols downtown in the wee hours when he noticed a male staggering down the street. As the police vehicle drove slowly by the male yelled out “hello dirt bag!” The officer turned his vehicle around and got out to speak with the male. I guess alcohol makes some people feel above the law, because the male refused to give his name even though he was committing an offense by being drunk in public and by law has to provide his name. The officer arrested the male and was barraged with explicit insults that would not be appropriate to write in the paper all the way back to cells. The situation deteriorated when the male refused to empty his pockets before he entered the cell. The officer attempted to empty the male’s pockets at which time the male swung at the officer. The male continued to kick and swing and grab at the officer. Another officer entered the cell area and was able to remove the male’s hands from the officer. The ambulance was called for the intoxicated male who received some injuries, but the paramedics refused to take him as he was not being very cooperative. The male was then placed in cells. The male was released in the morning when he was sober and wanted to apologize to the officer who he attempted to assault. A little too little too late. The male will appear in court on a charge of assaulting a police officer.

Scuba gear was stolen from a compound in the Industrial Park during the week. The gear was stored in a large metal box. Opportunity is one piece of the crime triangle. As a community let’s try to eliminate the opportunities by securing buildings, vehicles, valuables and keeping properties tidied and well lit.

Two of our Auxiliary RCMP officers have just taken a course on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and are available to help both business and residential property owners/renters to set up their properties to make them safer and not an attractive target for crime. Call Cst. Erin Stevenson for more information on this program 

Please contact Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-624-2136 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if you have any information on any crime. You can now also send an anonymous tip online at www.bccrimestoppers.com.

Past reports can be found here