Total calls for service: 87
Thefts: 5
Impaired driving: 3
Break and enter: 1
Assaults: 7
Mental health: 5
Anyone with information about the incidents below is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or online at bccrimestoppers.com.
February 4 - Fraud report
Powell River RCMP received a report of Bitcoin fraud. The victim reported that they had invested a small amount of Bitcoin funds into a company in October of 2021. Over the next three months, the same company repeatedly contacted the victim to continue investing, leading to thousands of dollars being lost. Eventually, the victim provided access to their computer and the fraudster was able to transfer all their funds and their personal information was compromised. The funds were transferred into Bitcoin accounts and are not traceable.
February 4 - Fraud report
Powell River RCMP received a second complaint of Bitcoin fraud. The complainant advised police that they had invested thousands of dollars into an investment account and discovered that the brokerage is fraudulent. The complainant is working with an international investigator to freeze their account and access the funds.
February 9 - Fraud complaint
Powell River RCMP received a suspected fraud complaint. The complainant advised police that they invested Bitcoin into a company and continued to invest funds into a specific investment platform. The complainant continued to invest funds and is now unable to access their Bitcoin wallet or account. Police are reminding the public to use caution with unsolicited emails and calls for investment purposes or seeking personal information.
COURT REPORT
February 3 - Prolific property offender
On October 30, 2021, 37-year-old Tristan Lambert of Powell River was arrested and charged with multiple counts of break and enter, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in instruments, mischief, breach of undertaking, breach of probation order and thefts. These charges were inclusive of 10 police investigations forwarded for charge assessment to Crown counsel.
On February 3, 2022, Lambert appeared in the Provincial Court of British Columbia and was convicted on six of the police investigations. The remaining four investigations that included nine different charges had a stay of proceedings entered by the Crown prosecutor. Lambert was sentenced to 180 days jail and 18 months of probation. With time already served, he will serve an additional 36 days before he is released.
February 7 - Drugs
On July 4, 2019, 44-year-old Michelle Lynch of Powell River was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and possession of a controlled substance under section 4(1) of the CDSA. Lynch was convicted on February 7, 2022, and sentenced to time served (111 days jail), given a 10-year firearm prohibition, a DNA order and a forfeiture order.
