On March 23 at 5:21 p.m., police responded to a report of a male with a handgun in the Brackendale area. An investigation led police to a residence in the 41000 block of Government Road. A 19-year-old male was located and taken into custody without incident. A search of the residence located a handgun with a spent casing in it, which had been discharged inside the residence. The handgun had been stolen out of Vancouver. Police also seized a crossbow and a quantity of marijuana. The male was held in custody to appear in North Vancouver Provincial Court on March 24. Police are recommending charges of possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm contrary to order, and breach of conditional sentence order.
SAR saves snowmobiler
On Monday, March 16 Squamish and Whistler SAR members responded by helicopter to rescue a snowmobile rider injured on Brohm Ridge late Sunday afternoon, March 15. Three SAR members were able to land near the accident scene, but deep snow, high winds and darkness prevented them from evacuating the injured man and his companion from the area that day. The team moved the man to a safe location, dug a snow cave and hunkered down for the night. Other SAR members using a Black Tusk Snowmobile Club snow groomer ploughed out a trail to the upper ridge through the night hoping to access the victim at first light. Avalanche hazards, high winds and white out conditions played a role in preventing a nighttime rescue. In a very short break in the weather early on Monday, March 16, Blackcomb Helicopters were able to land near the snow cave, extract the team and fly the man directly to Squamish Hospital.
Drunk driver stopped with two-year-old
On March 21 at 10:18 p.m., a member patrolling Highway 99 near Furry Creek observed a 2005 Toyota Echo traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was clocked with radar at a speed of 116 km/h. The vehicle was stopped and the 25-year-old male driver showed signs of impairment and failed a road sign screening for alcohol. The driver was returned to the detachment and failed a breath test. The driver was also wanted on two outstanding warrants for assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm. The male was held in custody on the warrants and was given a promise to appear for May 13 to answer to charges of impaired driving. As there was another male adult and a two-year-old child in the vehicle, the on-call worker for the Ministry of Children and Families was contacted and brought in for assistance to deal with the young child.
Speeder crashes
On March 23 at 11:39 a.m., a single vehicle collision was reported on Highway 99 near Sunset Marina. A 2006 Pontiac travelling southbound and passing another vehicle lost control and rotated into the cement guardrail. The roads were slippery and wet with rain and witnesses reported the vehicle to be speeding. The 17-year-old male driving the vehicle was transported to hospital, treated and released. The male was issued a violation ticket speeding. The highway was reduced to one lane traffic for southbound vehicles.
Drunk speeder stopped
On March 18 at 2:45 a.m., members on patrol observed a 1986 Dodge pick up travelling north on Government Road at an excessive rate of speed. The vehicle was stopped and the 36-year-old male driver showed signs of impairment. The driver failed a roadside screening for alcohol and was returned to the detachment for a breath test. The driver registered readings over the legal limit, and was released on a promise to appear for May 6 to face charges of impaired driving.
