Weekly Media Release - Trail and Greater District RCMP - 2025-02-24

Trail man arrested after warrant executed on a residence

On Friday, February 24, 2025, at 1:22 p.m., frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officers, with assistance from a BC Highway Patrol officer, attended at a residence in the 3500 block of Laburnum Drive, in Trail, BC to arrest an individual who had an outstanding warrant of arrest for failing to attending court.

Officers had reason to believe he was inside the home but refusing to cooperate, so they sought a warrant to enter the home to arrest the man, which was granted. Upon execution of the warrant, the man exited the residence and surrendered to police.

The man was held in custody to appear in a bail hearing before a judge. He was released to attend a future court date.

Richard Jeremy Swanson, 47-years-old, of Trail, BC, is charged with driving while prohibited contrary to section 95(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act and failing to attend court, contrary to section 145(2)(a) of the Criminal Code.

He will make his next court appearance on March 6, 2025, in provincial court, in Rossland, BC.

The Trail Crime Reduction Unit will be back in operation in March 2025. Citizens can expect more enforcement that will result in a reduction of people in our community who actively avoid attending court, says Sgt. Wicentowich.  

Reported dispute leads to impaired driving investigation

File # 2025-697

On Friday, February 21, 2025, at 10:50 p.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer responded to a report of a dispute between two people in a vehicle on First Street, in Fruitvale, BC. The officer detained the occupants and vehicle roadside.

A 21-year-old Montrose man driving the vehicle denied that a dispute occurred between him and his passenger. The officer observed that the man’s ability to operate a motor vehicle may be impaired by alcohol. A demand was read to the man who provided a breath sample which resulted in a fail.

The 21-year-old Montrose 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.

Trail resident loses $15,000 in online cryptocurrency scam

File # 2025-718

On Sunday, February 23, at 5:12 p.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer received a report that a Trail resident lost $15,000 after investing in cryptocurrency through a website.

The resident joined a cryptocurrency exchange website after seeing it advertised on social media. The website offered high returns on money invested. She was initially going to invest $500; however, was persuaded over the course of two weeks to invest up to $15,000. She attempted to withdraw money; however, did not received any funds back due to a number of issues. She realized that she was likely the victim of a scam. She withdrew from the platform and ceased all investing with the cryptocurrency website.

Days later, the resident allegedly received an email threatening violence against her in an attempt to extorted more money from her. She contacted the Trail RCMP for help.

An officer advised her to block all emails and not to engage with anyone affiliated with the alleged cryptocurrency investment. The officer also advised to notify all of her financial institutions about this incident.

Cryptocurrency scams often promise quick and easy riches. I highly recommended avoiding cryptocurrency investments as they are often unregulated and do not provide any investor protection. Cryptocurrency is known to be a very high risk and speculative way to invest.
Most people will likely lose of their invested money, says Sgt. Wicentowich

For more information on crypto currency scams, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.