Chase RCMP Faces Challenges from Slopes to Streets

Media Release - Chase RCMP

LOST SLEDDERS

On December 13, 2023 at 5:31 pm, Chase RCMP were advised of an iPhone SOS activation. Coordinates provided from the cell phone showed that it was on Crowfoot Mountain in Celista. There was no cell service in the area but short texts could be sent and received via satellite on the phone’s SOS feature. Police were told a group of four snowmobilers were lost on the mountain. They were not prepared to spend the night outside and asked to be rescued. Police alerted the Crowfoot Mountain Snowmobile Club management and requested assistance from Search and Rescue. Several snowmobile club members volunteered to go out in the dark to try to locate the group while Shuswap Search and Rescue responded from Salmon Arm. By 10:00 pm, the sledders had been found and were being led back to the parking lot. They were cold and tired but otherwise well.

SNOWMOBILE PROBLEMS

On December 22 at 3:41 pm, Chase RCMP were notified that a group of snowmobilers had not returned to the Crowfoot Mountain Snowmobile Club parking lot at the end of the day. Weather conditions on the mountain were less than ideal with low visibility and club members were concerned. Volunteers headed back up the trail to begin searching while Police engaged Search and Rescue. Within the hour, volunteers came across a single sled returning with three riders on it. They’d had a break-down and were forced to leave one snowmobile behind. Club volunteers ensured their safe return to the parking lot. Shuswap Search and Rescue was stood down.

PROHIBITIED DRIVER

On December 17 at approximately 8:20 pm, Chase RCMP were advised of a possible impaired driver at a business in Chase. The complainant observed a driver pouring what appeared to be alcohol into a juice bottle. Police attended and conducted a traffic stop. The driver did not appear to be impaired by alcohol. She was, however, prohibited from driving. She was therefore arrested and her vehicle was impounded for 7 days. She was released from custody with a future court date.

MISSING FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

On December 17 at 7:20 am, Chase RCMP received a missing person report from a person in the UK. The caller reported that her social media friend had disappeared from the Internet in January. The caller said that her friend’s last social media posts, written nearly a year ago, were concerning. She and a group of approximately 90 social media friends had been trying to “find” her ever since. The missing friend was believed to reside in the Chase area. Police contacted the friend and confirmed she was alive and well – she was just taking a break from social media.

FAMILY DISTURBANCE

On December 13 at 10:07 pm, Chase RCMP were requested to assist with a family disturbance. The caller wanted help dealing with his brother who he described as drunk and out of control. Police attended and determined that the brother was too intoxicated to care for himself and was too violent to be cared for by a family member. He was therefore arrested and placed in cells to sober up. He was released in the morning with a violation ticket for public intoxication.

IMPARIED DRIVER REFUSED BREATH SAMPLES

On December 9 at 8:47 pm, Chase RCMP responded to a business in Chase for a report of an impaired driver. Staff at the business described the driver of a white pickup as “dazed and confused”. Police attended and conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot. In speaking with the driver, Police noted an odour of alcohol on his breath and saw an open beer in the cup holder. The driver refused to provide a sample of his breath into the roadside screening device and was therefore prohibited from driving for 90 days under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days. Chase RCMP would like to commend these staff members on their continued dedication to public safety. Their efforts benefit the community by removing dangerous and impaired drivers from our roads.

RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLES

On December 4 at approximately 7:18 pm, Chase RCMP were alerted to a stolen truck and trailer hidden behind the Chase Seniors Centre. A sharp-eyed community member recognized the vehicles from a Facebook post and contacted the owner, who flagged down Police. As Police arrived, a male attempted to drive away but got stuck in the snow and fled on foot. The male left behind his cell phone and two puppies. RCMP Police Dog Services conducted a track but were ultimately unsuccessful in locating the suspect. The puppies were never claimed and were cared for by a local volunteer animal rescue. The cell phone was seized and is being held at the Chase RCMP Detachment in case the owner would like to retrieve it. During this investigation, a Kia Sedona that was also hidden behind the Seniors Centre was determined to have been stolen from Kamloops. All vehicles were towed to be returned to their respective owners. The following day, a stolen black Ford F250 was located by Police on a rural property near Celista. Police obtained statements from witnesses who identified a suspect. Police expect to recommend charges on this matter.

DRIVEWAY COLLISION

On December 21 at 10:22 pm, Chase RCMP were advised of a disturbance at a residence in Chase. The caller reported something about a fight and there was yelling in the background. Police attended and noted both vehicles in the driveway had clearly just been involved in a collision. Witnesses reported that a drunk family member crashed his vehicle into a second vehicle that was parked behind it. Police arrested the man for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and transported to him to the Chase Detachment for breath samples. The man provided breath samples which were nearly twice the legal limit. He was released from custody with a future court date to face impaired driving charges.

HARASSMENT

On December 23 at 2:42 am, Chase RCMP were dispatched to Sorrento for a report of property damage. The 911 caller said that he caught a man pouring a contaminant (later determined to be Motor Oil) into his hot tub. The caller chased the man off his property before calling Police. This was the second time the family’s hot tub had been purposely damaged. Police attended and observed oil all over the hot tub and in the water. The damage was expected to be very costly to rectify. A suspect was located nearby and arrested. He was released with a future court date.