2023-01-09 Grand Forks RCMP weekly media release

Not what we meant by Driv-Thru

File # 2023-10

On January 2, 2023 at 945 AM, Grand Forks RCMP attended to a complaint of a vehicle driving into the side of the A&W located on the 1600 block of Central Avenue. The driver stated they entered the parking lot, but due to icy conditions, was not able to stop and slid into the building wall. While there appeared to be minimal damage outside, there was significant damage done inside. Thankfully no one was hurt and its business as normal.

ATV stop leads to drug investigation

File #2023-49 and 2023-53

On January 5, 2023 at 830 PM, an officer on patrol noted a person riding an ATV on Boundary Drive near 77th Avenue. The officer attempted to pull it over, but the driver on the ATV fled. At around 930 PM, the officer’s persistence paid off and he was able to locate the ATV again on 75th Ave and 21st St. Once again the ATV attempted to flee the scene, but this time the driver skidded into a snowbank and became stuck. The officer quickly arrested the male driver for Flight from a Peace Officer. Further checks revealed that the 47-year-old man from Grand Forks was also a Prohibited Driver. The man had his ATV seized, issued a $598 violation ticket for No Insurance and given a Court date in March of 2023 for Driving while Prohibited and Flight from Police.

However, this is not where the story ends. Search of the male found him in possession of a large amount of various drugs and drug paraphernalia suspected to be fentanyl and methamphetamine. The man was released from scene, however the investigation into possession for the purpose of trafficking continues and the RCMP expect to submit a request for charge approval to the Public Prosecution Services of Canada in the coming months.

"It is always great to get a decent seizure of drugs off the road and have someone that we plan on forwarding charges on," stated Grand Forks Detachment Commander, Sergeant Darryl Peppler. "Drugs continue to be a problem in our community and we are determined to make more seizures and arrests."

Impaired drivers still being caught

File # 2023-50

On January 5, 2023 at 1045 PM, an officer, following up on a report of a possible impaired driver stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee on Brown Creek Road in Grand Forks, BC. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Grand Forks denied the consumption of alcohol, however exhibited signs of impairment. The driver was given a roadside breath test to which he failed. The man was served a 90-day driving prohibition and had his vehicle impounded for 30 days. In addition, he was issued violation tickets for Drive Contrary to Restrictions and Fail to Display ‘N’.