Weekly Media Release - Trail and Greater District RCMP - 2024-10-07

Beware romance scams are active in the Trail and Greater District area

File # 2024-4534

On Friday, October 4, 2024, a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report about a woman would fell victim to an online romance scam, in Trail, BC.

A romance scam is when a scammer convinces a person to enter an virtual online relationship so the scammer can slowly gain the person’s trust and affection. This is usually done through email messages and fake profiles on social media and dating sites. The scammer will ask for money once the relationship is well established. Some romance scams can operate for months or more in order to make it seem more legitimate.

In this particular case, a scammer developed a relationship with the woman then asked her to purchase gift cards from a local store. The victim sent the gift card information electronically to the scammer. The scammer cashed in the gift cards which resulted in the woman losing a significant amount of money. The money is not recoverable.

The romance scam is rising in popularity and deploys sophisticated tactics against people looking for a relationship.

The scammer may ask you:

• for money for travel, a medical emergency or family assistance – making it seem urgent or like an emergency
• to receive money for them – by doing so you might unknowingly be committing a crime
• to join a business venture with them
• to invest in cryptocurrency
• Look out for these red flags and be suspicious:
• when someone you haven’t met in person professes their love to you
• if the person wants to quickly move to a private or different mode of communication (email, text, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts etc.)
• if they always have an excuse not to meet in person
• if you receive poorly/oddly written messages, sometimes even addressing you by the wrong name
• if the individual claims to live close to you but is working overseas
• if they act distressed or angry to guilt you into sending money
• if the individual discourages you from discussing them or their situation with your friends and family (attempting to isolate you from those who may be suspicious of the relationship)

Fraud is a multibillion dollar business worldwide. The best way to prevent fraud is to learn about how it works and how to avoid becoming a victim. Everyone is a potential target, says Sgt. Wicentowich

For more information, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud website

You’ve got to be kitten me!

File # 2024-4535

On Friday, October 4, 2024, at 1:43 p.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report about an argument between two people over the feeding of a cat, in Trail, BC.

The owner was concerned about the amount of food the cat was eating while the other person had purchased the food and believed the cat should have been fed. The attending officer was able to help the pair worked out a feed plan.

We are glad that the officer help them avoid a cat-atrophe over this disagreement, says Sgt. Wicentowich

Damaged vehicle leads to arrest of prohibited driver

File # 2024-4540

On Friday, October 4, 2024, 5:23 p.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer was patrolling in a marked police vehicle when he spotted a vehicle with front end damage which partially obstructed the front licence plate on 10th Avenue, in Montrose, BC.

The officer conducted a query on the licence plate and discovered that the vehicle was allegedly uninsured. The officer used a police computer to conduct further investigation research and it lead the officer to believe that the driver, a 41-year-old Kelowna man, was prohibited from driving a motor vehicle in BC. The officer detained the man and his vehicle.

The officer confirmed the identity of the man driving the vehicle and that he was allegedly prohibited from driving a motor vehicle under Section 95 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act. The officer arrested and released the man at the scene. His vehicle was impounded for up to 7 days.

The 41-year-old Kelowna man will make his first appearance on December 3, 2024, in Provincial Court, in Rossland, BC.

Trail RCMP officers continue to patrol our streets to keep local roads safer, says Sgt. Wicentowich

Trail RCMP seize replica gun, arrest Trail man

File # 2024-4550

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 5:34 p.m. frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers received a report about a 38-year-old Trail man with an alleged handgun tucked into his waistband that was seen walking around downtown Trail, BC.

Officers conducted patrols downtown but could not locate the man. An officer reviewed surveillance footage obtained from a business which helped identify the man with the alleged gun in his waistband. The officers attended the man’s residence but did not locate him.

Officers conducted further patrols. One officer spotted the man exiting bushes near a gravel parking lot on Rossland Avenue. The officer arrested the man without incident with the assistance of additional officers who attended the scene. The officers allegedly located an replica firearm and a round of ammunition during a search incidental to his arrest.

The man was taken into police custody. He was brought before a judge and released on conditions. The 38-year-old Trail man will make his first appearance on January 9, 2025, in Provincial Court, in Rossland, BC.

Trail man detained for impaired driving, licence suspended, vehicle impounded

File # 2024-4557

On Sunday, October 4, 2024, at 12:11 a.m. frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers received a phone call from a distraught 24-year-old Fruitvale man who stated that he had just been in a motor vehicle accident where he allegedly struck a parked vehicle while attempting to avoid a deer on Christie Road, near Fruitvale, BC.

Officers and EHS attended the scene and located the man. The man appeared to be uninjured at the time of the incident.

The officers made observations that lead them to believe the man’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was allegedly impaired by alcohol. A demand was read to the man who provided a sample of breath roadside that resulted in a fail.

The 24-year-old Fruitvale man was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) under Section 215 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act. His vehicle was impounded for up to 30 days.

As the winter holiday season approaches, Trail RCMP and BC Highway Patrol will be on the lookout for impaired drivers, says Sgt. Wicentowich.

Local business victim of a smash and grab

File # 2024-4560

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 9:54 a.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report from a local business that it had its front window smashed and a bike stolen from inside it in the 1200 block of Bay Avenue, in Trail, BC.

The bike is described as a Dutch style cruising bike with a black and white basket, and covered with Re/max decals.

If you know the whereabouts of this bike, please contact the Trail Detachment at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator. The Trail RCMP and its owner would like to recover it, says Sgt. Wicentowich

Officer, it’s the dog’s fault

File # 2024-4566

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 6:19 p.m., a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer responded to a report of an erratic driver on Highway 3B, in Montrose, BC.

The officers located the 45-year-old man and his vehicle and detain them roadside in Fruitvale. The officers spoke to the man who reported that he had been distracted by his dog and it caused his erratic driving.

The officers provided the man with a warning about driving while distracted.

Please be aware that driving while distracted can net you a fur-real $368 fine, said Sgt. Wicentowich