Police believe a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for "a variety of sexual offences" in Ontario may be living in Squamish and are seeking the public's help in locating him.
Ian Paul Walendzewicz, 34, is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 68 kilograms (150 pounds) with blonde hair and blue eyes and a scar on his upper right arm, RCMP Staff Sgt. Guy Pollock told The Chief. If seen, citizens are advised not to approach him, but to contact Squamish RCMP at (604) 892-6100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) immediately.
Vehicle theft probed
Squamish RCMP are investigating the theft of a Telus van that was later found in an open, grassy area near Brennan Park, with items from inside the van left strewn around the area.
Last Wednesday (May 4) at 7:28 a.m., police received a report of a stolen white Chevrolet Astro van bearing the Telus corporate logo, Pollock said. The van was fitted with a GPS tracking device that allowed police officers to monitor its whereabouts. They followed its last recorded location to a grassy area off Brennan Park and Centennial Way and found the van, unoccupied, with items from inside the van scattered around, Pollock said.
The van and its contents were brought to the RCMP detachment's forensic identification services, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to phone Squamish RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Debit machine stolen
On Monday (May 9) at 10:06 a.m., police responding to a report that the KFC restaurant on Highway 99 had been broken into found that the drive-through window had been smashed and pushed inward so that a small hand or arm could get through. A debit machine worth approximately $700 was among the items taken. The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Suspect nabbed
On Friday (May 6), staff at Save On Foods contacted police to say they had a male in custody for shoplifting. An officer attended and was told that the suspect had stolen goods valued at $30.28. Store officials expressed a desire for charges to be laid, Pollock said. The suspect was taken into police custody and released on a promise to appear in North Vancouver Provincial Court.
Man arrested
On Friday at 11:03 p.m., staff at the 7-Eleven store on Garibaldi Way contacted police to report that a male in the store was attempting to pick a fight with them. Officers arrived and found a "highly intoxicated" male yelling at staff and others in the store. The male was arrested and later ticketed for being intoxicated in a public place.
Woman arrested
Last Tuesday (May 3) at 9:34 p.m., police responded to a disturbance coming from inside the building that used to serve as Squamish's women's shelter along Loggers Lane. Inside, police found two females who appeared to be trying to sleep, Pollock said. A third female, who was highly intoxicated and uncooperative was arrested for causing a disturbance. A search after the arrest revealed drug paraphernalia that was seized by police for later destruction.
Breach of conditions alleged
On May 5 at 11:55 p.m., an off-duty Squamish RCMP officer saw a woman attend the residence of an ex-boyfriend and speaking to him, in breach of court-ordered conditions from a previous incident. Uniformed police officers were advised and located the man and woman walking down the alley between Second and Third avenues in downtown Squamish. A search incidental to the woman's arrest found her in possession of a small amount of drugs. She was transported to North Vancouver Provincial Court to face "various charges," Pollock said.
Vehicle impounded
On Wednesday, May 4, a Squamish RCMP officer saw a blue pickup truck go through a yellow light at Cleveland and Pemberton avenues. The vehicle then crossed over the centre line on several occasions and was stopped. The female driver was given a roadside blood-alcohol screening and blew a "fail." She was issued an immediate roadside driving prohibition and had her vehicle impounded.
