From pot plants to stolen cars, busy long weekend for Castlegar cops
By Castlegar Source
It was a busy weekend for Castlegar cops – including some serious gardening issues.
Castlegar RCMP Cpl Debbie Postnikoff said police responded to 70 calls for service over the second long weekend of summer.
“The calls were routine in nature and consisted mainly of traffic related incidents, liquor related offences and bylaw infractions,” she said. “There were two 90-day IRPs, two three-day IRPs and 16 violation tickets issued contrary to the Motor Vehicle Act. Police would like to remind motorists that, should they still have studded tires on their vehicles, they are to be removed immediately. The deadline for the removal of studded tires was April 1.”
Postnikoff said it all began with prohibited plant problems.
“The weekend kicked off with an anonymous caller advising that there were marihuana plants located in the Castlegar Community Garden located along 5th Avenue. Castlegar RCMP attended and seized two healthy marihuana plants that were approximately three feet high, located amongst the tomato plants. It is unknown if this was a prank or if someone took it upon themselves to simply plant the marihuana plants for their own personal use. The plants have been destroyed and there are no suspects at this time. Police would like to thank the complainant for this information.”
And Postnikoff said the plant problems persisted.
“Castlegar RCMP responded to a complaint (on Aug. 5) of mischief at the Twin Rivers Elementary School. Eight newly-planted trees planted at the rear of the school had been uprooted. This is disturbing, as it is the fourth time that this has happened in a two-day period. The trees get replanted only to be uprooted again by the culprit(s). The trees are now in poor condition and it is unlikely they will survive. Should anyone have any information on these files, they are urged to contact the Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721 or Crime stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (7477).”
Finally, Aug. 6 brought a complaint that was unrelated to horticulture of any kind, she said.
“Castlegar RCMP received a complaint of a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner in the early hours of the morning. The vehicle was spotted by police a short time later, travelling through the community on Columbia Avenue at a high rate of speed. The vehicle eventually stopped for police on Highway 3 and was determined a short time later to have been stolen. The 17-year-old male (who cannot be named), has been charged with Theft under $5,000, Flight from a Police Officer, Possession of Property obtained by a Crime under $5,000 and Fail to comply with an Undertaking. The Youth was also issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and issued a Violation Ticket for failure to produce a driver’s license and driving contrary to restrictions. The youth appeared in court on Aug. 7, and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Sept. 5.”
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