Busy holiday weekend for Penticton RCMP

It was a busy August long weekend for police in Penticton.

RCMP responded to 240 calls for service from Friday at 6 p.m. through Tuesday at 6 a.m. Cst. Dayne Lyons, RCMP media relations officer for Penticton said in a press release.

Throughout the holiday weekend, RCMP was also working alongside the BC Wildfire Service, the City of Penticton’s Emergency Support Services, the Province of B.C., local and visiting fire departments, Penticton Indian Band and other partners to support the community as the wildfire threatens homes, wildlife and neighbours.

Among the calls of significance was one to a local business, Saturday at 11 p.m. Store staff was confronted by a shoplifter who pulled out a box cutter.

Police conducted extensive patrols and are reviewing close-circuit TV footage for an identification. The incident remains under investigation.

In other events Saturday, RCMP responded to a domestic assault around 9:30 p.m. A female alleged a male grabbed her by the back of the head and slammed her into the sidewalk. RCMP located the suspect and held him in custody pending a court appearance.

On Monday, shortly after midnight, Penticton RCMP responded to a report of a male inside the complainant’s vehicle riffling through it. The complainant provided a spot-on description of the suspect and his direction of travel.

Police later located and arrested the man who was held in custody.

On Monday at 4:45 p.m., Penticton RCMP and BC Highway Patrol responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 97. The vehicle had struck the median and left a field of debris and fluids as it fled. The vehicle was located a short distance away.

The male driver is alleged to have fought with police upon arrest, and refused to provide a sample of his breath. Police are forwarding charges to the BC Prosecution Service.