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Rash of vehicle break-ins reported in Pemberton

Between 9 p.m. on April 11 and 7 a.m. the next day the Pemberton RCMP responded to five reports of thefts from motor vehicles, resulting in the loss of goods worth roughly $2,000. There is a good chance that the incidents were related.

Between 9 p.m. on April 11 and 7 a.m. the next day the Pemberton RCMP responded to five reports of thefts from motor vehicles, resulting in the loss of goods worth roughly $2,000. There is a good chance that the incidents were related.

In the majority of incidents the vehicles were left unlocked by the owners.

The RCMP would like to remind people not to leave valuables in their vehicles at any time and to lock doors and windows.

If anyone has information regarding any of the thefts they should call the Pemberton RCMP at 604-894-6634, or Crime Stoppers at 1-80-222-TIPS (8477).

There were also two reported thefts from vehicles in Whistler on the evening of April 7 or morning of April 8, both involving Dodge Dakota pickup trucks. The thief used the rear cab window to gain entry into the vehicles.

One of the incidents was reported on Whistler Road and the other in the parking lot of the Creekbread restaurant.

Sergeant Shawn LeMay of the Whistler RCMP says that locking your doors and windows may not be enough.

"Take your valuables with you," he said. "There are signs around local parking lots posted to that effect and that includes I.D., money - even loose change in the coffee holders. I've worked in communities where people would smash your window to get at that change, or whatever they see there."

 

Traffic stops result in drug charges

In the late evening of April 9 members of the Pemberton RCMP detachment stopped a vehicle after a traffic infraction. During the subsequent investigation the officers found that the driver was in possession of "a large amount of marijuana." He was arrested. The vehicle also contained a large quantity of marijuana plants and Canadian money.

The subject was released and will appear in provincial court in Pemberton on June 3.

 

RCMP to get serious regarding cell phone ban

A new law that came into effect on Jan. 1 banning the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving has had little effect on local drivers, according to Sergeant Shawn Lemay.

Last week while on the lookout for drivers rolling past stop signs at the corner of Blackcomb Way and Lorimer Road he said seven out of eight drivers passing through in a few minutes were speaking on their cell phones without hands-free devices mandated by the province. Sgt. Lemay did not hand out any tickets, but said he wanted to observe the situation to determine how best to enforce the law in the future.

 

Drinking and driving continues

Over the past week the Whistler RCMP have handed out five 24-hour driving prohibitions to drivers for drinking and driving, including one driver who caused a vehicle collision on April 8. Observed by the RCMP, a southbound driver turned left into the works yard opposite Alta Vista - and right into the path of a northbound vehicle with two occupants. Only minor injuries were reported.

 

Abandoned 911 calls still a problem

Over a four-day period this week the RCMP answered 27 abandoned 911 calls, ranging from mistakes using fax machines, accidental cell phone calls, and people misdialing when calling 411. Sergeant Shawn Lemay says the calls are an issue and they are putting a strain on police resources, as officers are required to follow up on every call. They are worried that they may not get to genuine calls for assistance on time if they are following up on abandoned calls. People are reminded to deactivate their phones when not in use and take care when using the phone.

 

Missing child found quickly

At 3:30 p.m. last Friday the Whistler RCMP received a report of a three-year old skier who had gone missing on Blackcomb Mountain below the Wizard Express. The boy was separated from his parents and baby-sitter.

The RCMP attended and quickly located the boy at the Whistler Blackcomb children's centre on Blackcomb, an area he knew from experience. The RCMP thanked the staff at Whistler Blackcomb for looking for the child, and praised the babysitter for being able to provide an exact description of the boy's clothes and gear that made him easy to find.

In many cases where a child has wandered off parents and care-givers can't give police an accurate description of what the child was wearing, says Sergeant Shawn Lemay.

"It made it very easy to find the boy quickly and return him to his parents," he said.