New faces
Last week the Ashcroft RCMP detachment welcomed a new member: Const. Chris Buckland, who has transferred in from Manitoba and is very excited to be in Ashcroft.
The first week of October will see the arrival of a new detachment commander, Sgt. Kathleen Thain. She has served as detachment commander in Logan Lake and, more recently, Keremeos. She replaces Sgt. Michel Grondin, who transferred to Kamloops in April. Cpl. J.R. Michaud, formerly of the Ashcroft detachment, has been acting detachment commander since Grondin’s departure.
Head-on collision
On August 18 at 9:30 a.m., police received a report of a collision on Kirkland Ranch Road south of Ashcroft. A visitor from out of the country took a curve a little too sharply and ended up in the oncoming lane, where he hit another vehicle head-on. There were no injuries, but there was substantial damage to both vehicles. The driver was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care and attention.
Theft from vehicles
On August 19 at 9:15 a.m. police received a report of multiple vehicles broken into overnight in downtown Ashcroft. Only one person reported the crime, but he informed police he knew of three other vehicles that had been broken into. Items stolen include loose change, sunglasses, and a roadside emergency kit. Police encourage anyone who is the victim of a crime, no matter how small it might seem, to make an official report; if police receive enough reports they can often link the crimes together. Police also remind drivers to lock their vehicles; none of the cars had broken windows, which indicates it was a crime of convenience, with the thief trying door handles and targeting unlocked vehicles. A locked car will deter many would-be thieves and keep your possessions safe.
Riding the rails
On August 19 at 5 p.m., police were called regarding a male who was spotted on a CN train. A male who matched the description was located, and police gave him a ride out of the area.
Almost a bar brawl
On August 20 at 10:30 p.m., police responded to a report of a fight at the River Inn in Ashcroft. By the time police arrived staff had dealt with the situation and the group had left the bar. It was learned that there had not actually been an altercation, but that some in the group had been trying to pick a fight.
Bush fire
On the morning of August 21 police received a report of some bushes that had been lit on fire the night before at the corner of Stage Road and Stanley Park Boulevard in Cache Creek. The Cache Creek Fire Department had extinguished the blaze. There are no suspects at this time; anyone who has information about the fire is asked to call Ashcroft RCMP at (250) 453-2216.