RCMP, Fire Rescue and Canada Post have teamed up to catch a suspected arsonist who targeted the Valleycliffe General Store bulletin board Wednesday, Dec. 27.
Canada Post houses over 100 post office boxes in the breezeway next to the store where the bulletin board is mounted and surveillance cameras captured the suspect igniting the board around 6 a.m.
"It's an entrance to an apartment building, so we're taking it very seriously," said firefighter Bob Fulton.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the smoldering board. Fire Rescue will recommend charges of arson to the RCMP once the video analysis is complete, said Fulton.
The contents of the post office boxes were not damaged by fire, but may have suffered water damage.
Liquor store holdup triggers panic alarm
A quick thinking teller helped RCMP capture a suspected thief allegedly attempting to hold up a liquor store at the Mountain Retreat Hotel Saturday (Dec. 30).
The suspect had first been in the store at approximately 7 p.m., but returned an hour later. He approached the teller with his hand in his pocket, told her he had a weapon and demanded money from the till. The teller hit a panic alarm underneath the counter as she claimed to have trouble opening the till.
The suspect was apprehended while attempting to leave in a cab when RCMP responded to the alarm by blocking off all exit points. Video surveillance has verified the teller's story. Charges are pending.
Skye targeted twice in two weeks
Thieves got away with surveillance cameras from the downtown Skye Development site. Skye's cameras were stolen two weeks ago, replaced, only to be stolen again. RCMP Cpl. Dave Ritchie said occasionally individuals in residences that house drug trafficking activities will steal surveillance cameras and set them up on their own properties. The investigation continues.
Blood evidence may lead the way
RCMP will use blood left at the scene of a break in and entry as DNA evidence against a suspected thief. On Christmas Day, the front window of the Chieftain Mall liquor store was smashed with a rock and three bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream were stolen.
Late snowmobilers cause concern
On Tuesday (Jan. 2), Search and Rescue (SAR) was called to locate a group of snowmobilers believed to have been trapped on Brohm Ridge over the New Year's Day storm. The group were visiting from 100 Mile House and failed to return home as planned late on New Year's Day.Before rescuers could be dispatched, a member of the snowmobiling group called on Wednesday morning (Jan. 3) to say they made it back the previous night but had decided it was too late to call.
