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Whistler included in search for Owen Rooney

Australian Owen Rooney has been missing since Aug. 24, after walking away from the Boundary Hospital in Grand Forks after being treated for facial bruising. He was working in Canada with his two sisters when he disappeared.

Australian Owen Rooney has been missing since Aug. 24, after walking away from the Boundary Hospital in Grand Forks after being treated for facial bruising. He was working in Canada with his two sisters when he disappeared.

It is believed he sustained a brain injury, possibly in a fight, and was dropped off at the hospital by the RCMP with two black eyes. He had been attending the Shambhala Music Festival prior to his disappearance.

There have been numerous false sightings since his disappearance, including recent sightings in Alberta and on Vancouver Island.

The RCMP have since expanded the search to include Whistler. If you have seen Owen Rooney, contact the RCMP at 604-932-3044 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

 

Teen assaulted for snowball throw

The Whistler RCMP are investigating after they were called to the medical clinic regarding a 16-year-old who was punched by an adult earlier in the evening.

According to the youth, he and two friends were throwing snowballs at cars at Lorimer and Piccolo when an older model red Dodge Caravan stopped. A man, described as in his 20s, got out of the vehicle and chased the youth, punching him in retaliation. He required two stitches to his forehead.

The youth got a partial plate number, 143. The suspect is described as blonde with a moustache.

The youth were not charged with any offence, although if a vehicle had been damaged they could have been charged with mischief. If the driver can't see and an accident occurs as a result of snowball throwing, the throwers could be charged with mischief causing an injury or mischief endangering a life.

 

Be on the lookout for rental scams

The Whistler RCMP have received three reports related to the same rental scam in Whistler, including two victims who turned up after renting a vacation unit on Craigslist and one person who didn't fall for the fraud but alerted the police.

According to the RCMP, the suspects identify themselves as Tom and Susan Heppner and request a small deposit to book a vacation property in Whistler - between $150 and $250. When the people show up there is no room booked in their name.

The RCMP are currently tracing the scam through their Internet Service Provider, but in the meantime are asking people to be vigilant and not to pay in advance to book rooms.

 

Whistler apres spot over capacity

During a routine check of bars on Dec. 10, the Whistler RCMP discovered that an apres location at the base of Whistler had exceeded its posted capacity of 158 patrons, with approxoimately 200 people in the establishment at 9:30 p.m. They issued a Licensed Premise Check to the liquor inspector, who will investigate and decide whether to follow up with any enforcement action.

 

Male arrested for assaulting a police officer

At 11 p.m. on Dec. 7 the RCMP received a report of a male causing problems at a local nightclub. They attended and discovered a male and female arguing outside. One police officer spoke to the female and another to the male. When the female refused I.D. the RCMP arrested her for obstruction. At that point the male grabbed the police officer and demanded that the police provide a female officer. At that point the doorman intervened and the male was taken into custody after resisting the police. He also attempted to kick officers twice on the way to the detachment.

A 26-year-old male from Ontario was released on a recognizance after being charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and causing a disturbance. The female was charged with the bylaw offence of obstruction, which carries a maximum $500 fine.

 

Impaired driver strikes cyclist

On Dec. 8, just past midnight, the RCMP received a report that a motor vehicle had been involved in a collision with a bike on Highway 99 at Meadow Park Sports Centre.

When the police arrived they interviewed the driver, and detected the odour of liquor. He failed the roadside screening device and was taken to the detachment where he provided two samples of .190 - more than twice the legal limit. A 60-year-old male from Whistler was charged with impaired driving and driving over .08.

The cyclist, a 70-year-old male from Whistler, was attempting to turn left into Meadow Park when he was struck. He was not injured and back on his feet and walking around when the police arrived.

 

Impaired driver in head-on

Just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 8, the RCMP received a report of a head-on collision between a Chevy Astro Van and a Chevy Suburban taxi. According to the police the van was heading north and the taxi southbound near the Rainbow subdivision when the van lost control in the slippery conditions and drifted into the oncoming lane. The driver of the van had been drinking, and provided samples of .170 and .160. A 33-year-old Pemberton male was given a 90-day driving prohibition, a 30-day impoundment and charged with impaired driving.

 

Woman charged with impaired driving

Just before 3 a.m. on Dec. 11 the RCMP observed a vehicle crossing the centre line heading south on Highway 99 and pulled the vehicle over. The female driver denied drinking but showed signs of impairment. She failed the approved screening device and was given an immediate roadside prohibition - 90-day driving prohibition, 30-day impound and other penalties include fines, mandatory safe driving course and mandatory in-car breathalyzer.

 

Thefts of coats reported from nightclubs

Individuals are asked to keep their personal possessions in sight after RCMP received several reports of jackets being stolen. In one case a woman lost her coat check tag and discovered later that her jacket and various personal items in the pockets were taken.

 

No charges in highway crash

At 7:50 p.m. on Saturday night the RCMP received a call that two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision at Highway 99 and London Lane. According to reports a southbound four-door sedan lost control and crossed into the northbound lane into the path of a taxi. The taxi tried to avoid the vehicle, but also lost control in the slippery conditions. The front of the taxi contacted with the passenger door of the sedan. The collision bounced the taxi back over the southbound lane where it stopped on the side.

There were no injuries reported and no charges were laid. However, the RCMP remind the public to slow down and use caution where there are poor driving conditions.