Merritt police kept busy in late February
Copper stolen
Sometime between 6 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 8 a.m. on March 1 unknown person(s) stole scrap copper fittings from the outer compound at Copper Valley Mechanical, 2151 Coutlee Ave. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Intoxicated man found to be on probation
On Saturday, March 2 at approximately 1030 a.m, Merritt RCMP observed a local 48 year old local man, James Isaac in the 1700 block of Garcia St. It was known to police that Mr. Isaac was currently on Probation and was not allowed to be within the city limits. He was grossly intoxicated and was arrested. He was held in custody and brought before a provincial court judge where he pled guilty and was sentenced to 21 days jail and a $50 Victim Surcharge.
Passed out in ATV
On March 3 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Merritt RCMP responded to a report of a male who appeared to be passed out on an ATV on the Coldwater Reserve. Police attended and located a local 19 year old man who was extremely intoxicated. Investigation also resulted in determining that the man was also breaching his previous court imposed conditions not to consume alcohol. He was arrested and held in custody until he sobered up. He was then released from custody and will appear in provincial court in April for breaching his conditions.
Stolen Ranger
On March 3, Merritt RCMP were advised that a green Polaris Ranger had been stolen from a yard in the 2800 block of Petit Creek Rd. The suspect(s) removed some rails from a fence and drove the Polaris onto Shackelly Rd and then to parts unknown. A pair of crutches had been left leaning against the main gate. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Company vehicle left
Sometime between Feb. 28 and March 5 unknown person(s) spotted a company vehicle that was parked in a wooded area off of Dot Ranch Road. The company vehicle is described as a safety/ambulance type of vehicle with a red cross and the company name "Millco Safety Services" written inside the cross. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Stopped driver found to be impaired, have no licence
On March 8 at approximately 3 a.m., Merritt RCMP stopped a vehicle on Voght St for not having any tail lights. When spoken to, the driver a 23 year old man from Grand Forks, advised that he did not have his drivers licence on him. Investigation revealed that the driver had been drinking and that his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. He was subsequently issued a three day immediate roadside prohibition along with a three day Notice of Impoundment. He was also issued a violation ticket for not having a valid drivers; drive contrary to restrictions and possess open liquor in a motor vehicle.
Stolen bicycle
On March 8 at approximately 3:15 p.m., a bicycle that had been locked to a tree near the Hair Shack was reported as stolen. The bike is described as a black mountain bike with an LED light and back wheel cover. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Local man breaches conditions
On March 9 at approximately 2:45 a.m., Merritt RCMP responded to a citizens complaint that a 48 year old local man was trying to break into a residence. Police immediately attended and located the man as he was leaving the area. He was found to have been drinking and computer checks revealed that he was also bound by a recognizance with conditions not to contacting the owner of the residence while consuming alcohol within the previous 24 hours and to leave the presence of the owner upon request. Further investigation revealed that the man had also threatened the owner of the residence. He was arrested and charged with two couns of breaching his bail conditions and two counts of uttering threat. He was held in custody and appeared before a provincial court judge on March 11. He name is not being released to protect the identity of the victim.
Cell phone found
On March 9 a cell phone was turned into the Merritt Detachment. It was found in the parking lot of Starbucks. If anyone is missing a cell phone, they are asked to call the Detachment with a description.
Sign damaged
Sometime overnight on March 10, an unknown person(s) damaged an advertisement sign on the front of the building in the 2300 block of Aberdeen Rd, Lower Nicola. The Plexiglas cover was knocked off and some of the letters scattered on the ground. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Driver impaired, unlicenced
On March 10 at approximately 11 p.m., Merritt RCMP stopped a vehicle on Voght St., when a licence plate query confirmed that the registered owner was an nlicenced driver and a vehicle impound candidate. The driver, a 44 year old man from West Kelowna, was found to have been drinking. Further investigation resulted in determining that the man’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. His driving privileges were suspended for 24 hours. He was issued a violation ticket for drive contrary to restriction and the drivers licence he produced was seized as he was an unlicenced driver. His vehicle was also impounded.
Women found with crack cocaine
On March 11 at approximately 8 a.m., Merritt RCMP were on patrol in an unmarked police vehicle near Canadian Tire in Merritt. Police observed a local 41 year old female taking a bag of potting soil and putting it into her vehicle. The business was not open. She was arrested for theft and when searched by police, a quantity of rock cocaine was seized. She then ran from police and after a short foot chase, she was captured. She was advised that she would also be facing a charge of possession of cocaine and for obstructing a police officer. She will appear in provincial court in July.
Youths gather
On March 12 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Merritt RCMP were dispatched to a mischief complaint at Diamondvale School. A concerned citizen stated that there were six to seven youths in the school yard and one kid was throwing things on the roof. Although there does not appear to be any damage, police are asking if anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Tools, sunglasses stolen from vehicles
Sometime overnight on March 13, an unknown person(s) broke into two vehicles while they were parked at the Ramada Hotel in Merritt. One of the vehicles had the rear window smashed and two wrenches, valued at $80, taken. The second vehicle reported a list of stolen items. They included: a tool bag containing Klein and Greenly hand and electrical tools with an approximate value of $1,000; a tool belt with tools totaling about $200; two pairs of Oakley sunglasses; valued at $300 and $200. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Vehicle broken into, iPad stolen
Sometime overnight on March 13 unknown person(s) broke into a vehicle parked in the alley overnight behind Napa Auto Parts in the 2100 block of Nicola Avenue. Entry was gained to the vehicle by smashing the rear driver side window. Stolen was an iPad valued at $600. If anyone has any information about this, they are asked to call the Merritt Detachment or Crimestoppers.
Notes of Interest:
Since Feb. 28, Merritt police officers responded to:
Calls for Service: 227
False / Abandoned 911 Calls: 30
False Alarms: 6
Drunk in Public Arrests: 20
Merritt RCMP detachment
250-378-4262
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