Trail and Greater District RCMP weekly report - 2023-11-01

Swatting call targets Trail youth

File # 2023-5157

On Friday, October 27, 2023, at 12:50 a.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received report that a local youth was allegedly in possession of a handgun in the Trail and Greater District area, BC.

The officer was suspicious about the complaint as the person who reported it appeared not to exist after a police computer check. The officer also noted that call was received from a computer generated, non-local phone number. The officer believed that this was a swatting call, or a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of police officers to a specific address.

The officer made contacted the youth identified and the family, and determined that there was no truth to the report. The youth believed that it may have stemmed from a conflict earlier that year.

Trail RCMP continues to investigate the incident as a Mischief contrary to Section 430 of the Criminal Code.

If you have any information about the identity of the caller, please contact the Trail and Greater District RCMP at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator.

Trail RCMP takes swatting calls very seriously. It’s an incredible waste of resources and puts innocent people in jeopardy. There have been incidents in which the person swatted had been seriously injured or killed, and the perpetrator ended up in jail, says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Fork off

File # 2023-5166

On Friday, October 27, 2023, at 2:45 p.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report that a 24-year-old Trail man had allegedly been terminated from his employment, and damaged a forklift and property before leaving the business, in Trail, BC. The man, after hearing about his termination, allegedly decided to jump the forklift into the air and into a pile of barrels, and nearly struck other employees in the process.

The officer informed the company that the employee had committed a crime by damaging property with intent. The company did not want to pursue criminal charges at the time.

I think Human Resources made the right call on this one, says Sgt. Wicentowich

Graffiti bandits caught, compassion rules the day

File # 2023-5179

On Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11:52 a.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report from a 51-year-old Trail man that he had caught two youth allegedly spraying painting graffiti onto the wall of his business in the 3000 block of Highway Drive, in Trail, BC. This was the second time the man’s property had been spray painted in a short amount of time.

The officer attended the scene and arrested both youth for Mischief under $5000 contrary to Section 430 of the Criminal Code. The guardians of the youth were contacted and attended the scene. Rather than pursue criminal charges, the business owner showed compassion and made an agreement with the youth. The man asked the youth to paint over the damaged door and replace some decals that had been damaged by spray paint, which they agreed.

We appreciate the business owner’s response, and hope the two youth realize how lucky they are to being a second chance and make amends, says Sgt. Wicentowich

No you can’t-abis

File # 2023-5190

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 8:22 a.m. frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers responded to an alarm at a business in the 1400 block of Bay Avenue, in Trail, BC.

When officers arrived, they located and arrested a 22-year-old Trail man with approximately $4000 worth of Cannabis products in his possession that he had allegedly stolen after breaking into the business. Officers discovered another $15000 in Cannabis products had been placed into a garbage bag inside the store.

Police released the man an Undertaking to will appear in court in at a future date. Trail RCMP will forward a report to Crown Counsel requesting criminal charges.

I recommend against breaking into one of the most secure and monitored businesses in existence, says Sgt. Wicentowich