Members of Creston RCMP couldn’t have enjoyed working on Monday, when they were called to the scene of three sudden deaths.
“It’s never pleasant to attend to a death in a home,” Staff Sgt. Gord Stewart. “But I think our guys handled the situations well. And, of course, Jenn Meekes (RCMP victims’ assistance co-ordinator) was there for each one, and she’s very good.”
All three sudden deaths were males. Two, ages 56 and 67, followed lengthy health problems. The third, a 36-year-old male, Christopher Paul Vickers, died of undetermined causes.
In all cases where a death occurs in the home, the coroner’s office conducts an investigation to determine the cause.
“I’ve never experienced a rash of sudden deaths in such a short period,” Stewart said.
Police Beat
In other police news, Creston RCMP members attended to a total of 73 calls in the week of Jan. 18-24, Stewart said.
January 18
•When police arrived at the Highway 3 residence of a woman who had called 911 several times they found her to be intoxicated. She was arrested and held until sober for her safety.
•Creston RCMP took a statement from a local female on behalf of Nelson RCMP, who are investigating an assault allegation.
•A green CCM bicycle with blue handlebars was found in the 800 block of 11th Avenue South.
•The driver of a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville walked away after backing into a pickup truck on 10th Avenue North, apparently in the belief she had struck the curb. No damage resulted.
•A theft of coins from a jacket pocket in the 800 block of Vancouver Street is being investigated. A suspect was caught on video.
•When police responded to a call from the 700 block of 11th Avenue South they found the caller, not a resident of the home, was intoxicated. She was given a ride to her own home.
January 19
•A Ford Tempo was left in the middle of the road in the 500 block of 11th Avenue South after it lost a front wheel when it collided with road repair equipment. A witness saw the driver run from the scene.
•Some ammunition found while house cleaning in the 600 block of 16th Avenue North was turned over to police for destruction.
•An 88-year-old male died suddenly in his home in the 900 block of Monrose Road. The death is believed to be from natural causes.
•More ammunition was turned in for destruction, this time from the 200 block of 25th Avenue South.
•A Canadian passport was lost in the 300 block of 10th Avenue North.
•A red, black and silver pickup was reported to be driving unsafely in the 1100 block of 27th Avenue South. Police located the registered owner, who received several tickets. The vehicle was impounded because the owner was under a driving prohibition.
January 20
•A resident of the 900 block of Hillside Street reported receiving harassing letters in the mail.
•A resident in the 1300 block of Granary Road learned that a $5 bill suspected of being counterfeit was not.
•A Ford Tempo was reported stolen from the 3400 block of Highway 3, long after it had been in an accident.
•A minivan was damaged when it collided with a tractor in poor road conditions near 36th Avenue North and Sylvester Road.
•A 43-year-old male was issued a three-day driving prohibition after patrolling police witnessed a red Ford pickup run two stop signs. The driver had been consuming alcohol.
•During a roadside checkstop police noticed the odour of marijuana coming from a vehicle. A small quantity was seized from passengers and a warning was issued.
January 21
•Police referred a complaint about a resident of the 400 block of 10th Avenue South warming up vehicles early in the morning to the Town of Creston bylaw enforcement department.
•Police attended a residence in the 300 block of Third Avenue South to keep the peace while legal papers were served.
•No injuries resulted when the driver of a 2007 Nissan Versa lost control of the vehicle, which flipped upside down on Highway 3.
•A second complaint in recent weeks came from Reclamation Road, where a resident was setting off avalanche control explosives.
•Police were called to the Kingsgate border crossing, where a male attempted to enter Canada with illegal ammunition magazines for a firearm.
January 22
•A female reported that an ex-boyfriend entered her residence in the 1100 block of Scott Street and punched her current partner in the face. The culprit was located and later arrested, then released with no-contact conditions and a date for a court appearance.
•A male who attempted to enter Canada at the Kingsgate border crossing was found to be intoxicated. He was given a 90-day driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days after he failed alcohol screening device tests.
January 23
•Police are investigating a complaint that a male made threats at a business in the 1500 block of Canyon Street.
•Two calls complaining about the same Elm Street location led police to conclude a 60-year-old male was high on drugs. He claimed he had been assaulted but police could find no evidence of a crime. He was taken to hospital for examination.
•A threat to a female in the 400 block of Sixth Avenue North by an ex-boyfriend is being investigated.
January 24
•Three females reported to be smoking drugs in the 1600 block of Canyon Street were gone when police arrived.
•A silver Fuji camera was stolen on Saturday during a birthday party at the Creston and District Community Complex.
•No injuries resulted when a 2007 Ford Ranger went off Highway 3 and into the ditch about 30 kilometres west of Creston.
•A family cat in the 900 block of Regina Street was found by its owners as it struggled to move, having its rear legs trapped in a wire snare.
•Police are investigating a complaint about damage to a vehicle in the 1500 block of Canyon Street.