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RCMP search for suspect in ski goggle theft

Police briefs: Hit and run in Pemberton; Woman unharmed by avalanche
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SEEKING INFO Whistler RCMP are looking for information in regards to a theft in the village on Feb. 10.

Whistler RCMP is investigating after a pair of black Abom ski goggles worth $250 was stolen from a retail store in the village.

The theft took place on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at about 12:30 p.m.

"Whistler RCMP reviewed video surveillance which showed two males inside the store with one male appearing to distract the staff and engage them in conversation while the other suspect grabbed the goggles, walked around in front of the mirror and placed them in his jacket pocket. The males left the store without paying," Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair said in a release.

There were four males in the group in total, but only one was seen taking an item, LeClair said.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male with a short, trimmed beard and a large, flat nose. The male was wearing jeans, black shoes, a dark green ball cap, a black jacket with red accents and a grey hoodie underneath.

Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to call the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Police suspect hit-and-run stemmed from domestic dispute

Police suspect the puzzling case of a hit-and-run in Pemberton over the weekend was the result of a domestic dispute.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, police responded to reports of a white, late-model Chevrolet pickup truck that struck a female pedestrian along Highway 99 just south of Portage Road. After the incident, witnesses reportedly told police the driver placed the pedestrian in the vehicle before taking off.

Police eventually tracked down and arrested the driver, a 35-year-old Port Douglas man, and determined he was in a relationship with the woman. It's believed the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute and that he may have intentionally struck the pedestrian.

"That's what our suspicion is, but that's still to be determined," LeClair said, of the ongoing investigation.

The woman was checked out at a local hospital before being released with no major injuries, LeClair said.

Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact Pemberton RCMP at 604-894-6126, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Woman unharmed after being buried by avalanche

A woman escaped an avalanche unharmed this week after being buried in over a metre of snow north of Pemberton.

On Sunday afternoon, Feb. 7, Pemberton RCMP received a report of a large slide near the Wendy Thompson Hut off of Duffey Lake Road. The avalanche was reportedly triggered by the last skier to descend the slope from a group of 10 that was touring the area.

One woman was buried in the slide and was found unconscious and unresponsive by other skiers after spending several minutes covered in snow, according to witnesses. Her companions were able to resuscitate her and she did not sustain any major injuries, police said. Three others were partially buried in the avalanche though they were also uninjured.

Pemberton Search and Rescue attended and were able to account for all three groups of skiers and boarders on the scene. Police said it was the groups' preparedness that likely avoided tragedy.

"The groups were all properly equipped for backcountry travel and had varying levels of experience," a police statement on the incident read. "Several members of the group had taken formal avalanche training and put those skills to use to effect (sic) the rescue.

"While this group was well equipped and prepared, the incident highlights the need to be vigilant in the backcountry as avalanche and weather conditions can change quickly and without warning."

RMOW may extend Family Day traffic control to other busy periods

You may have noticed traffic was flowing more smoothly than usual on the busy Family Day holiday this week.

That's because the municipality instituted traffic-control measures designed to lessen the congestion caused by heavy streams of vehicles leaving the resort. Traffic control personnel were positioned throughout the day at the corner of Highway 99 and Lake Placid Road as well as the three intersections south of Creekside, while certain traffic lights were disabled between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to facilitate the flow of southbound traffic.

"I think it was very helpful for Monday afternoon," said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. "It certainly helped to keep traffic moving."

Now the RMOW is considering implementing similar measures for other busy periods in the resort.

"We're having discussions right now about how frequently we're going to be doing this for the balance of this season, or if at all," said Wilhelm-Morden. "We're also having some discussions internally about doing it on Saturday mornings (in the winter)."

Whistler Blackcomb paid for the traffic control personnel, while the municipality covered the additional police hours required.

-with files by Braden Dupuis