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Ski tourers rescued unharmed near Spearhead

Police Briefs: Pricy dirt bike stolen; stiffer penalties for distracted driving
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FRAUDULENT CHEQUE A screenshot of security camera footage provided by police shows a suspect who allegedly cashed a fraudulent government cheque at a Whistler bank on April 6. RCMP is investigating the incident. Image submitted

A pair of ski tourers was rescued from the backcountry last week after becoming lost near the Spearhead Range.

Police were first alerted to the missing skiers the morning of May 4, when a woman called to report that her brother and his friend didn't make it back home from a trip to the McBride Traverse the day before as expected. The man's vehicle was later located in Day Lot 5 before search and rescue crews were activated the following morning.

Both skiers were eventually located hungry but unharmed, police said.

"They advised that they were eight days into a five-day ski tour trip and had two days of poor weather when they couldn't travel and one day when they made poor navigation choices and spent some time relocating their route," explained Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair. "They were getting low on food but were in good spirits when rescued."

Ontario man found with drugs, suspected counterfeit cash, police say

A 21-year-old Ontario man is facing charges after he was found with drugs and a large quantity of what police suspect may be counterfeit currency, police said.

At 12:40 a.m. on May 6, police were on foot patrol in the village when they observed two males smoking marijuana in front of a nightclub. A search incidental to arrest uncovered small amounts of pot, MDMA and cocaine in one of the male's backpacks, as well as "a large quantity" of Canadian currency, police said.

"Police record checks indicated the male had a history of possession of counterfeit currency," said LeClair. Police are still working to determine if the cash is in fact counterfeit.

The investigation is ongoing.

$10K dirt bike reported stolen from Whistler home

Local police are asking residents to keep their eyes peeled after a $10,000 dirt bike was reported stolen from a Whistler Cay home.

The bike's owner reported the alleged theft to police on the morning of May 10, claiming he last saw the 2016 KTM 300XC at 7:30 p.m. the night prior. The complainant told police he had the bike secured to his porch with a chain and lock at his residence in the 6700 block of Crabapple Drive, although it appears the lock had been broken with a bolt cutter.

The missing bike is orange and white in colour, license plate 2C8-000. Anyone with information as to its whereabouts is asked to call Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044.

B.C. cracks down on distracted driving

The B.C. government announced stiffer penalties and higher fines for distracted driving this month, a leading cause of death on B.C.'s roads.

Going into effect June 1, the new penalties will be calculated using the base fine of $368 combined with the escalating ICBC penalty point premiums, which start at $175 for the first offence and rise for any additional infraction within a 12-month period.

On top of increased fines, distracted driving will now be considered a "high-risk" offence, placing it in the same category as excessive speeding and driving without due care and attention. Repeat offenders will have their record subject to automatic review, which could result in a three- to 12-month driving prohibition, while Graduated Licensing Program drivers will face intervention after a first distracted driving offence and a possible prohibition of up to six months.

Distracted and inattentive driving was determined to be a contributing factor in the deaths of 66 people in 2014, and seriously injured 630 more.

Fraudulent cheque

The Whistler Pemberton RCMP is investigating an incident where a fraudulent government cheque was cashed on April 6, 2016 at a local bank in Whistler.

Police are requesting the public's assistance. If you have any information please call the Whistler RCMP at 604 932-3044 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.