Creston RCMP spent another week responding to reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles, but a suspect has been identified in the two-week-long spree, Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan said on Monday.
“Thanks to the good work of one of our officers we believe we have identified one of the thieves and the investigation continues,” he said.
Police suspect two or more people have been roaming the streets at night, testing vehicle doors. They search the unlocked ones for valuables, and more than 20 reports have been received from town residents.
Police Beat
Creston police responded to 86 calls for service from July 1-7, Gollan said.
July 1
•Police were unable to locate ATVs reported to be racing on Canyon-Lister Road.
•A silver Nissan reported to be driven by a possibly intoxicated driver was not located.
•A report came from Canyon Street from someone who heard a female yelling, “Don’t touch me!” No one in distress could be found in the area.
•A Good Samaritan found a dog on Northwest Boulevard in distress from the heat. He took it to the RCMP station. The owner was located and the dog was returned.
•When police arrived to check a disturbance complaint at a Highway 3A residence, they encountered a vehicle fleeing from the scene. The driver was stopped and found to have been drinking. He failed an alcohol screening device test and was given a 90-day driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
•A complaint about harassing phone calls was made by a Cory Road resident.
•When police arrived to check on an argument between a mother and son they found the son was wanted on an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and later released on bail.
July 2
•Designer and prescription sunglasses and four CDs were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Sixth Avenue North.
•The vehicle of a Highway 3 resident was damaged in a hit and run at an undetermined location and time.
July 3
•Coins were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Fourth Avenue South.
•A vehicle sustained significant damage when it collided with a deer near Summit Creek.
•No theft was reported after an unlocked vehicle was entered on 21st Street South.
•A driver identified as driving erratically on Cook Street said he was tired.
•A “loss prevention” badge and a set of handcuffs were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Ash Street.
•No theft was reported after an unlocked vehicle was entered on Elm Street.
•Two iPhones, some cash, a Garmin GPS and some tools were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Ash Street.
•A visiting U.S. citizen, who came to Canada regularly for medical services, died suddenly at a Sixth Avenue South residence, of non-suspicious causes. Lawrence Grossman was 53 years old.
•Two packs of gum and an Alberta vehicle registration were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Elm Street.
•Police set up a roadblock on Highway 3 after receiving a report of a dozen motorcyclists driving recklessly through Moyie. The group never arrived, possibly having continued south into the U.S. through Kingsgate.
July 4
•Two cameras were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on 25th Avenue South.
•A single vehicle accident caused significant damage, but no injuries to occupants, on Highway 3 near Yahk.
•CDs were stolen from a vehicle on 25th Avenue South. The vehicle was locked, but a window was left open.
•Seventy-five-year-old Myron Ballard died suddenly of apparent natural causes at his home on Fowler Street in Riondel.
•Police were unable to locate the source of shots fired in the 48th Street area.
•A vehicle collided with a deer on Nick’s Island Road.
•No one was home when police arrived to conduct a well-being check on a Riondel resident on Eastman Avenue.
•A blue Chevrolet pickup reported to be driven by an intoxicated male on Highway 3 was not located.
•A dark-coloured import vehicle was reported to be driving at high speeds on Hagy Road.
July 5
•Vehicles were entered at two Erickson Road residences but no thefts were noted.
•A male motorcyclist from Germany lost control of his motorcycle on Highway 3/95 and sustained serious injuries. He was transported to hospital.
•Binoculars found at Lewis Bay Road in Boswell can be claimed by the owner at the police station.
•A well-being check on a Cedar Street resident revealed all was well.
•A female called 911 when her unwelcome ex-boyfriend arrived at her Third Avenue South residence. He left before police arrived.
•A 16th Avenue North landlord reported being harassed by a tenant who was being evicted.
•Police attended an 11th Avenue South residence to help emergency health services with a medical patient.
•Two people were hospitalized after their speeding vehicle missed a curve on Highway 3A.
July 6
•When police conducted a well-being check on a Cook Street resident they learned he is in the hospital.
•A Porthill Road resident reported some of his mules are missing.
•A male and female riding a motorcycle on Highway 3A were badly injured when the bike went off Highway 3A near Sirdar. The male was taken to Foothills hospital in Calgary and the female was in critical condition in Kamloops hospital at press time.
•Police talked to some target shooters at a Garden Road residence in Lister, explaining about the safe discharge of firearms.
July 7
•Some damage was made to a door at a Canyon Street residence, but no entry was gained.
•Police were able to use video camera evidence to get the dirt on a male who stole bags of soil from a Cook Street business. He returned the loot and has been banned from the store.
•A complaint from Helen Street about uttering threats is under investigation.
•A Good Samaritan found a paycheque on 16th Avenue South and turned it over to the police, who notified the employer, who notified his employee.