CRIME CLIPS: Cold weather deters thefts, black ice rolls vehicle

By Michelle Croissant

Local residents may not have enjoyed last week’s cold snap, but the freezing temperatures may have helped deter further thefts from automobiles, which have been on the rise since August. Grand Forks RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison was pleased to report that there were only 60 files between Midway and Grand Forks for the seven-day period, and only four were worthy of mention. 

“Thankfully no more thefts from vehicles this week, “said Harrison, “So we’re really happy about that.” One complainant did have her license plates taken, however. He said that police are still working on the previous string of theft cases. “We will continue working on it until we catch that beggar. He’s been a plague on the city, so we want to get him stopped.”

License plates go missing

On Nov. 13 at 12:30 a.m. police received a complaint that license plates were stolen from a vehicle parked behind Clyde’s Pub. There are no suspects and no witnesses, according to Harrison, “So obviously we’re looking for them because they are bound to show up on some car with no insurance, which is usually what happens.”

Red ’79 Chevy pickup impounded, driver arrested

Again on Nov. 13, this time at 3:32 p.m. a constable observed a known male operating a vehicle while prohibited. “The vehicle pulled into the Petro-Can parking lot across from the police station,” chuckled Harrison, “and of course the police happened to be looking and spotted him.” The constable went over and he was arrested for driving while prohibited. Charges are pending against the 50-year-old Grand Forks male. Impounded for 7 days was his red ’79 Chevy pickup; which, according to Harrison, “ he won’t be driving for awhile.”

Black ice causes rollover

At 5:49 p.m. on Nov. 17 there was a single vehicle accident about 3.5 km west of Christina Lake. The vehicle slid on black ice, went down a 10-foot embankment and rolled. Harrison said there was a fair bit of damage to the Ford Ranger, but thankfully neither the driver nor the passenger was reported injured. “Just a reminder to people that that time of year is here again.”

Red 1986 Ford Ranger stolen

On Nov. 16 at 4:26 p.m. police received a report that a red 1986 Ford Ranger pickup truck was stolen from behind Magnum Auto on Central Ave. in Grand Forks. The uninsured vehicle was being stored at that location and was last seen on Friday, Nov. 14. “We do have a possible suspect,” said Harrison, “but yeah, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

While the Boundary Sentinel endeavors to report on any files of interest to the community, anything under the Mental Health Act cannot be published.