Motorist damages RCMP vehicle during attempt to flee from police, gets arrested in Hope

HOPE – Mounties in Hope had one of their vehicles damaged during an incident last week in which someone tried to flee from police in Hope but was promptly arrested.

According to a statement from Upper Fraser Valley RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener, officers were called to a location on Klassen Road involving some individuals who were apparently refusing to leave the area. Klassen Road is located northwest of the Silver Creek neighbourhood.

When police arrived, Corporal Kiener says a vehicle appeared to intentionally turn off its lights and flee the scene. The vehicle was observed driving down a one-way road that was blocked by a police vehicle. In spite of the police presence, the vehicle continued driving down the road, resulting in a collision that damaged a police vehicle.

Officers safely arrested the driver, who was issued multiple violation tickets and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

In other notable incidents this past week in the Hope RCMP catchment area:

• Police received a report from a construction worker that a man had been trying to fight crews working on Coquihalla Street. The man had allegedly been tossing dirt onto the roadway while workers were cleaning up for the day, as he was irate about the mess. Officers attended and spoke with the individual, who was exhibiting signs of intoxication. After a brief interaction, the man chose to leave the area voluntarily and did not return. No injuries were reported, Corporal Kiener said.
• Boston Bar RCMP officers were advised of a suspicious vehicle parked on a homeowner’s property. A police investigation indicated the vehicle had been stolen from the Lower Mainland two days earlier and had been stripped of much of its interior. The vehicle is being returned to its registered owner, Corporal Kiener said. The investigation is ongoing to determine how it arrived in Boston Bar.
• Police received a report of a wallet stolen from a vehicle parked on Raab Street in Hope. The victim advised that credit cards from the wallet had been used for purchases at several stores in the Hope area. Police continue to investigate and work toward identifying the fraud suspects.
• Officers observed a woman outside the Hope RCMP detachment (690 Old Hope Princeton Road) who was not dressed appropriately for the weather and appeared to be seeking shelter. Police say she demonstrated signs of intoxication, prompting police concern for her well-being. While assisting her, RCMP members observed suspected fentanyl in her possession. Upon further investigation, police located a larger quantity of suspected fentanyl, leading to her arrest and seizure of the substances for further analysis.

There were 92 calls for service during the week of Monday, May 11 through Sunday, May 17, of which there were nine property offences and nine crimes against persons.