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Known car thief wanted in Whistler

Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating Joshua Kale Lundstrom, 29, a known car thief who is in breach of probation. He has already been spotted in the Whistler area, although he is listed with a Vancouver address.
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Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating Joshua Kale Lundstrom, 29, a known car thief who is in breach of probation. He has already been spotted in the Whistler area, although he is listed with a Vancouver address. He was arrested here last year on auto theft charges, and RCMP believe he may be active again.

Lundstrom is described as five feet, 10 inches tall with short brown hair. His most distinguishing feature is a tattoo around his neck that reads "Hardluck."

Police are urging anyone who sees Lundstrom to call 911. Under no circumstances should you approach him yourself, as he has been armed in the past.

He is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching the conditions of his probation.

Lundstrom was arrested on Oct. 9, 2008 in Whistler in a stolen vehicle, and after the ensuing investigation by the Sea to Sky General Investigation Section he was charged with 41 offences including multiple counts of Possession of Stolen Property, Fraud, Theft, Possession and Use of a Stolen Credit Card. He pled guilty and on Nov. 13, 2008 was sentenced to two years and four months in jail.

RCMP seek information on sexual assault

The RCMP are looking for the public's assistance in identifying an individual wanted for questioning in connection with a sexual assault.

At 7 p.m. on June 17, a female hitchhiking to Pemberton was picked up at the corner of Whistler Cay and Highway 99 by a white truck with a flatbed. The truck had oversized tires and wood in the back that was covered by a blue or black tarp.

According to the victim's statement, the man drove her to Alpine Way and demanded payment for the ride. When she did not pay the suspect proceeded to sexually assault the woman, who escaped the vehicle and contacted police.

The man is described as being in his late 20s, muscular, with dirty blonde hair. He had facial stubble, a round face, and was wearing a dirty white T-shirt and black pants.

The victim is being asked to look at mugshots of possible suspects, including a suspect from a sexual assault who was arrested in September 2008 for a similar crime. She will also be asked to assist a police sketch artist.

Anyone with information that could assist police, or with knowledge of other instances of sexual assault to hitchhikers, is asked to call 604-932-3044.

The RCMP has also warned women to avoid hitchhiking. "It's not encouraged, especially if you are alone," said Sergeant Steve Wright of the Whistler RCMP. "This happened in daylight, it's not something that happened late at night.

Teen party destroys concrete test

The RCMP are investigating a school bush party in the alpine water treatment plant area on Friday, June 19 that resulted in the destruction of $10,000 in materials and equipment on site. At the time the municipality was conducting a structural test on the concrete, which was destroyed in a bonfire.

"We've been having an issue with kids in the bush on the weekends," said Sergeant Wright. "They've been having huge fires and with the (fire hazard) rating so high we need to discourage this."

According to Sgt. Wright, they received word of a bush party at the second gravel pit between Lorimer Road and Alta Lake Road and sent members to break it up. The teens went to the water tower instead.

Sgt. Wright stressed that it was not just the grad class that was involved, and that kids as young as 13 may have taken part. If they can identify the teen or teens responsible for burning the equipment charges could be laid.

Whistler hit by series of break-ins

The Whistler RCMP is investigating a series of three break-ins which occurred last weekend. The RCMP confirmed that a known property thief is in town, and may be behind the spree.

The first break-in occurred at 1:30 a.m. on June 20 on the 3200 block of Peak Drive. The thief pried the front door open, but was scared off by an audible alarm.

The second occurred at 3 a.m. on the 6200 block of Bishop Way. A neighbour saw a flashlight inside a house where the owners were known to be away, and called the RCMP. The RCMP said the house was ransacked, and so far cash and jewelry has been reported missing. The thief gained entry through an unlocked front door.

The third case happened at some point over the same evening on the 2500 block of Snowridge Crescent. A thief entered the unlocked side door of a garage and stole a gold-coloured, 21-speed KONA mountain bike.

The RCMP believe the same person may be involved in all three events. "A rash of B&E's (break-in and enters) at one time, on one night, is suspicious in itself," said Sgt. Wright. "We don't average one break-in every couple of weeks, so three in one night is unusual."

There have also been two vehicle thefts, both of which have been recovered. A Whistler taxi was taken at 3 a.m. on une 20 between 3 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. outside the Cascade Lodge, and was recovered at 3 p.m. the same day on Alta Lake Road.

Between 8 a.m. on June 20 and 8 a.m. on June 21 a Subaru Outback was taken from the Executive Inn parkade. It was found on June 22 in the Wedgemont parking lot.

As well, a red Honda Civic that went missing the previous week was found on June 16 at Nesters.

The RCMP also believe the same thief may be responsible for a string of three motor vehicle break-ins, taking place on June 18 on Miller Creek Road, on June 19 in Nordic, and on June 20 on Blackcomb Way. The police remind people not to leave valuables in vehicles.

And on June 18 Local Automotive contacted the RCMP regarding the theft of at least two start motors from vehicles on the site. Anyone with information should call the RCMP.

Men arrested for passing counterfeit bills

Two men at a Whistler Village bar were arrested for passing counterfeit U.S. $50 bills on June 21, and were held overnight. One of the men has a history of counterfeiting and was held until June 22.

Local businesses should be aware that counterfeit U.S. $50 bills are in circulation and to be on the alert.

Lost an iPod?

A man who was released from jail on June 12 with one iPod was picked up by RCMP on June 13 with four iPods. The RCMP are asking people who may have lost an iPod recently to step forward to claim their music players by identifying songs. Contact Constable Chris Harris at 604-932-3044.