Powell River RCMP reported the following for April 26 to May 2, 2023
Total calls for service: 120
Thefts: 10
Break and enter: 2
Impaired driving: 4
Assaults: 4
Mischief: 4
Mental health: 8
Fail to stop
Between February 13 and May 2, 2023, Powell River RCMP has issued eight violation tickets for failing to stop for a school bus contrary to the Motor Vehicle Act, which amounts to more than one per week.
Police are reminding all drivers that when a school bus is stopping and the red flashing stop sign is out, drivers must stop at a safe distance to allow children to cross the road. Drivers must remain stopped until the school bus begins to move and the flashing stop sign retracts.
The penalty for failing to stop for a school bus is $368. All school buses within the district are equipped with cameras that record any vehicle passing while the red lights are flashing.
Assault
At approximately 7:40 pm on May 2, police received a report of a male who had assaulted two females by hitting them with a motor vehicle on the pole line near Timberlane Avenue. It was reported that the male then fled in his vehicle.
After an investigation and with the help of witnesses, police were able to locate, identify and arrest the driver, who is a 23-year-old male from Powell River. The driver was transported to the RCMP detachment, where he submitted to a breathalyzer test, which resulted in a fail.
The vehicle was seized and the driver was issued a driving prohibition. He now faces charges for failing to remain at the scene of an accident, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, impaired driving causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
Both females were transported to qathet General Hospital by Emergency Health Services. One was later transferred to Vancouver by air ambulance with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was released to appear in provincial court in July.
Assault
At approximately 10:17 am on April 29, police responded to a report of an assault with a weapon in the Garnet Rock area. A resident reported that a neighbour had assaulted him with a hedge trimmer, causing cuts to the hand and arm, and then threatened to kill him. The 64-year-old male suspect was arrested for assault with a weapon and uttering threats, and released to appear in Provincial Court in August.
Anyone with information about the incidents above 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.
