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Whistler RCMP release video of alleged hotel thieves

This week in RCMP news: Officers bust grow-op, investigate possible sex assault
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Police are seeking the public's help in identifying these men after a crime spree at a Whistler hotel. Photo courtesy of RCMP

The Whistler RCMP has released video camera stills from a hotel break-in that was reported on the morning of Aug. 7 and occurred over the previous evening.

The suspects broke into a storage room and allegedly took Mike phones and chargers. They also tipped over a safe but did not gain access. As well as the phones they took four bottles of liquor and an iPad after breaking in to the bar.

If you recognize any of the men in the above photo or have any information on the case, contact the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Whistler marijuana grow-op busted, 47-year-old facing charges

The Whistler RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on the 8300 block of Valley Drive on Aug. 6 after an investigation into a suspected unlicensed marijuana grow operation. The RCMP entered the property and seized 167 mature marijuana plants from the bottom floor, plus roughly 170 clones on the lower level.

Whistler Fire Rescue Services was called to evaluate the property, and they issued a no occupancy notice until the house can be inspected. The police found a sophisticated operation with lights, fans, irrigation and other systems in place.

The resident of the property, a 47-year-old Whistler male with no prior arrests of consequence, is facing charges of production of a controlled substance, and will make his first court appearance on Oct. 16.

Staff Sergeant Steve LeClair of the Whistler RCMP said the arrest was highly unusual.

We are more familiar with outdoor marijuana grow operations, so it's not that common to Whistler he said. We've seen small ones, someone growing a plant or two, but we haven't anything more significant.

Pemberton man catches intoxicated car thief

At 4 a.m. on Aug. 7, the Pemberton RCMP received a call from the 1400 block of Balsam Street regarding a homeowner who had stopped a man attempting to steal his vehicle.

The male heard the garage door open and saw lights and went to investigate. When he saw the suspect behind the wheel of his truck, he removed the individual and held him to the ground until the police could arrive.

The suspect male was heavily intoxicated to the point where he had urinated on himself. He was reportedly with two friends that ran off as the police arrived.

The suspect, an 18-year-old male from Mt. Currie, was held in cells until sober and released on an undertaking while the RCMP considers charges.

Driver charged after pedestrian struck by vehicle

At 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 the Whistler RCMP received a report of a pedestrian being hit by a truck in the village, and attended along with Whistler Fire Rescue and paramedics.

According to the RCMP, the driver of the vehicle was heading southbound on Northlands Boulevard and was turning left onto Village Gate when he hit a pedestrian crossing the road with the right side of the vehicle. The victim was transported to the Whistler Health Care Centre, and then sent to Lions Gate Hospital with suspected internal bleeding.

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor, but the driver was ticketed for failing to yield to a pedestrian.

The victim was a 33-year-old Whistler resident.

Police investigating possible sex assault

The RCMP is investigating a possible sex assault after a woman attended the detachment just before 3 a.m. on Aug. 12. The previous evening the 27-year-old Whistler female admitted using cocaine, MDMA (Ecstasy), marijuana and alcohol with friends before going into the village. She has no memories after that point and woke up in her own bed at 9 a.m. with some text messages from a male she doesn't know.

The RCMP took her to the Whistler Health Care Centre for a Sex Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) while the police made contact with the male. The investigation is ongoing, with the police seeking witnesses and surveillance video from the evening.

Public masturbator arrested by police

On Aug. 12 at 4:15 p.m. the Whistler RCMP received a report of a male masturbating in public. The police attended and found the man masturbating under a tree.

After talking to the male, the RCMP determined that the male was homeless, and didn't know that he could be seen in his location from a nearby restaurant. Given the situation they let the male go without any charges.

Police say there is no connection to this case and other public masturbation cases they received over the past two years that may be related. The last reported case was in March 2013.

Marijuana seized in impaired driving investigation

On Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. the Whistler RCMP received a public complaint regarding a possible impaired driver heading south on Highway 99. The police found the male and the vehicle at the Husky station, and detected the odor of marijuana. The male was arrested then for possession of a controlled substance so he could be searched, at which point he admitted to having a few plants in his vehicle. The RCMP checked and found a large quantity, roughly 1,200 grams, of processed marijuana. The male, a 34-year-old from Garibaldi Highlands, faces charges of possession for the purposes of trafficking and production.

Squamish Valley Music Festival crowds generally well behaved

The Squamish RCMP thanked festivalgoers for being on their best behaviour over the weekend, with roughly 17,000 people buying tickets to the events. There were a handful of arrests for being intoxicated in public, numerous drug seizures and a few drug-related medical incidents, but in general it proved to be a well-run, well-attended event, and a fun crowd said the Squamish RCMP in a statement. The Squamish RCMP wish to extend their thanks to the community and those involved in, and attending, the event for their participation, patience and behaviour.

Chief fall victim identified

The BC Coroners Service has named Gabriole VanKeith, 57, of Vancouver as the woman who fell to her death on the Grand Wall of the Stawamus Chief on Aug.4.

The investigation suggests VanKeith was hiking alone on the Black Dyke trail when she fell in what appears to be a tragic accident.

Hikers who witnessed the fall on the steep front face of the climbing area, dialed 911 to request help.

Squamish Search and Rescue located VanKeith's body within 30 minutes of the accident, according to a press release from the coroners service. She was identified through information found in her vehicle. The coroners service is continuing with its investigation.