POWELL RIVER, B.C. – The local RCMP detachment is investigating disturbing comments that were made on Powell River networking websites.
According to a release from Constable Ron Palmquist, the comments were in reference to issues of teens prowling around the city.
Some of the comments suggested using paint-ball guns and hot oils to ward away the suspects.
Because of this, the police are reminding residents of what constitutes an assault. Palmquist said an assault is when:
- Someone applies force intentionally to another person without their consent, directly or indirectly.
- He/she attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person. If she/he has, or causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he/she has present ability to effect his purpose.
- While openly wearing or carrying a weapon or an imitation weapon, he/she accosts or impedes another person.
The RCMP is asking residents not to take matters into their own hands, and to report any suspicious behavior to the detachment.
According to Palmquist’s report, the police also responded to multiple thefts over the last week.
On April 3, a Payne 5-tonne heat pump was taken from the Joyce Avenue Salvation Army. The theft was suspected to have taken place over the weekend. The heat pump is estimated to be worth $5500.
In an incident on April 4, the RCMP received a report of a theft of an aluminum ramp from a cube van. The van had been parked overnight at Big O Tires on Joyce Avenue.
The ramp is described as being two feet wide by twelve feet long, which was attached to the cube van. Palmquist said the ramp was reported to be $1000.
This past Friday, at around 5:29 a.m., the RCMP received notice of a man that was seen sorting through a car that was parked at Massullo Motors overnight.
The suspect was described as being 5 foot 8, around 190 lbs, with a scruffy beard and was wearing a blue/black toque with a beige jacket.
The suspect was spotted, but fled the scene and dropped some of the items he had taken from the vehicle.
Palmquist said they also responded to mischief at a construction site on April 3. Items were moved and sheds were knocked down at the site in the 7900 block of Butler Road.
Anyone with further details about any of these cases is asked to call the Powell River RCMP at (604) 485-6255 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Between the period of April 2 and April 9, the Powell River RCMP responded to 108 calls for service. Some of these include one case of impaired driving, five thefts, one assault and five incidents of mischief.
