When a Squamish man was given a loaner car while he had his vehicle serviced at a car dealership in the Vancouver last week got just a bit more than he bargained for.
Last Thursday (Feb. 24) at 7:30 p.m., the man contacted Squamish RCMP to report that after he brought the loaner vehicle home, he opened the trunk and found a 260-gram, vacuum-sealed bag of marijuana, RCMP Staff Sgt. Guy Pollock said in a statement.
After the call came in, a police investigator visited the home in Garibaldi Highlands and seized the drugs. The bag will be examined by a forensics expert for "latent finger prints," Pollock said.
One injured in crash
One person was airlifted to hospital in the Lower Mainland after a single-vehicle rollover crash near Lions Bay.
Squamish RCMP, Lions Bay Fire Department and B.C. Ambulance crews attended the scene of the crash that occurred on Thursday (Feb. 24) at around 12:50 p.m. The investigation determined that the vehicle was travelling approximately 115 km/h in a 60 km/h zone when the crash occurred, Pollock said. As well, the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The female was reported in stable condition in hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
"Police remind all drivers and passengers of the importance of several issues in relation to this matter, such as the importance to obey speed signage, the increased risk at higher speeds, the risks associated to failing to wear seatbelts, the responsibility of all drivers to ensure passenger safety, and consequences of driver distraction," Pollock said.
Assault, mischief charges eyed
On Saturday (Feb. 26) at around 10:30 p.m., a Brackendale resident reported that his neighbour from two doors away had come to his house intoxicated. The neighbour initially accused the resident of driving erratically, Pollock said.
The neighbour then proceeded to assault the resident with a hockey stick and "did mischief" to the alleged victim's home, Pollock said. Officers who responded to the call followed footprints in the snow to a home two doors away. When the male occupant came to the door, he was arrested. Police are recommending charges of assault with a weapon and mischief, Pollock said.
Attempted fraud reported
Last Wednesday (Feb. 23), a Squamish resident reported to police that he had been the victim of an attempted fraud. An unknown man had called from an overseas phone number and reported that the resident had won $50,000, instructing the resident to transfer a "fee" of $600 through Western Union to receive his prize. The man recognized the call as a fraud and hung up. Pollock said police have the phone number and planned to forward it to the national telephone fraud registry.
Speeders ticketed
After receiving a complaint last Wednesday (Feb. 23) about vehicles speeding through the school zone at Mamquam Elementary School, a police investigator visited the area and wrote several violation tickets for speeding in a school zone, which carries a $196 fine. Further enforcement in the area is planned, Pollock said.
Distracted driver face fines
During a distracted-driving enforcement sweep on Feb. 14, Squamish Highway Patrol officers issued 18 violation tickets for the use of electronic devices while driving, an offence that carries a $167 fine. This month, the highway patrol unit will concentrate on commercial vehicle safety and enforcement of traffic laws in construction zones, Pollock said.
