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Knife-wielding suspect robs village store, police say

Police Briefs: Winter tire regulations in effect; pedestrian safety
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FILE PHOTO

Whistler police continue to search for a suspect linked to a robbery by knife at a village store last week, according to a release.

At about 10:40 a.m. last Thursday, Oct. 15, Whistler RCMP was notified of the robbery at a business in the 4200 block of Village Square. Mounties “immediately attended” the scene, police said, but were unable to locate the suspect.

Investigators have learned that the man took several items from the store without paying before he was approached by an employee. The suspect “displayed a knife and then fled the area,” police said.

He is described as Caucasian, approximately 40 years of age, and was wearing a black baseball cap, black jacket and black hoodie, with dark blue jeans, white Adidas shoes, and was carrying a black backpack at the time.

Anyone who witnessed this incident who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact the detachment at 604-932-3044, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.

It’s snow tire season

It’s officially snow-tire season in the Sea to Sky, and local police are reminding the public that all personal vehicles are required to have either mud and snow all-season tires or winter-specific tires in the corridor.

A legal winter tire must have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread depth and be marked with either the mountain/snowflake symbol (or both) or the letters M + S on its sidewall. Police said Mounties will be “checking tires on a regular basis to ensure that drivers are compliant.”

Passenger vehicles without winter tires are subject to a $121 fine, while commercial vehicles not carrying chains can net a fine of $196. Vehicles without the proper tires may also be towed—at the owner’s expense—to an area where winter-tire regulations are not in effect, police said.

Studded tires can also be used, but may only protrude two mm from the tread or traction surface of the tire. Studs must be used on all four wheels.

Winter-tired regulations are in effect until April 30, 2021.

Whistler police remind pedestrians to stay safe on roadways

After several recent reports of pedestrians walking along busy roadways, Whistler police are putting the word out to remind the public to make smart choices when out walking.

“The Police have been receiving calls of pedestrians walking on the driving portion of the roadway during the evening hours, most often wearing dark coloured clothes without any type of reflectors or lights,” police said in a release. “This can be extremely dangerous for people especially now that darkness comes earlier in the day and visibility and road conditions can make it difficult to identify people.”

According to ICBC, nearly half of all pedestrian and vehicle collisions occur between the months of October and January.

Reflectors are available free of charge art the Whistler RCMP detachment in the village while supplies last.