Category: Nelson Police Department

Nelson Police Department Files of Interest

On June 30, 2021 at approximately 0611 hours, the Nelson Police received a complaint
to check the well-being of a male in the 500 blk of Hall St.
Upon police arrival, attending members were able to locate the male, who was known to
police, and determined that he was in breach of numerous court conditions and in
possession of a quantity of drugs consistent with drug trafficking. The male was
arrested and is facing charges of breaching court orders and possession for the purpose
of trafficking. (NPD 2021-2705)

Later that day, police received a complaint of a robbery with an imitation firearm and
knife that occurred the previous evening. The male arrested earlier that day and another
male were identified as being responsible. The second male, who was also known to
police, was located shortly after and arrested. Both males are facing robbery, weapons,
and breach charges with an upcoming court appearance next week. (NPD 2021-2706)
The people involved in this matter are known to each other and police do not believe
there is further risk to the greater public.

On July 2, 2021 at approximately 0752 hours, the Nelson Police received a complaint of
a vehicle being stolen while parked in the 600 blk Ward St. Police were advised that the
vehicle keys had been inadvertently left in the unlocked vehicle. The vehicle was later
recovered in Castlegar.
Police would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens to ensure their vehicles are
secure and all valuables (including keys) are removed or hidden from sight. These

types of criminal acts are opportunistic in nature and vehicle owners can take
preventative measures to minimize these incidents.

Police Address E-Bike Safety and Awareness

June 18, 2021, (Nelson, BC) – NPD would like to take the opportunity to address questions and concerns that members of the public have had in light of the increase in popularity of electric assisted bicycles (E-Bikes) in the City of Nelson. E-Bikes are classified as a Motor Assisted Cycle (MAC) under provincial law. Only electric powered MAC’s qualify for this designation, gas powered engines do not.

While E-Bikes have allowed the citizens of Nelson to more freely explore the hilly streets of our town, there are a number of safety points to keep in mind when operating E-Bikes or sharing the roads with E-Bikes. E-Bikes allow riders to travel much faster than the average non E-Cyclist on roadways. in order to prevent cyclist vs. vehicle collisions, both cyclists and motorists need to be aware of this reality. It can be difficult for motorists to judge the speed of cyclists in general, the increased speed of E-Bikes can make judging the speed of approaching cyclists even more difficult. NPD has received calls of concern regarding people operating E-Bikes at city speed limits on streets and in parks without wearing a helmet. As a reminder, it is required under provincial law to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle on any highway or city street, this is even more crucial when traveling at higher rates of speed that E-Bikes allow. NPD has added a link on their website for a more comprehensive list of regulations applying to E-Bikes. We encourage the public to reference if they currently operate an E-Bike or are thinking of buying one in the future. All cyclists are required under the BC Motor Vehicle Act to comply with the same regulations as a motor vehicle. This includes but is not limited to; obeying posted speed limits, travelling in the same lane of traffic flow and obeying traffic control devices and signs. With people enjoying Lakeside Park and soccer fields as the summer approaches, NPD reminds E-Bike riders to use caution on park pathways and give consideration to slowing down when sharing them with pedestrians.

E-Bike users are not required to hold a valid license but are required under Provincial law to be at least 16 years of age to operate an E-bike on any highway.

Both motorists and cyclists share the road and hold the responsibility to keep themselves and other users safe when utilizing city streets. NPD’s role is to ensure the safety of the public regardless of their chosen mode of transportation. We welcome any future questions or concerns as we move forward to a future that will likely continue to see an increased presence of E-Bikes on streets and highways.

http://www.nelsonpolice.ca/886/Bike-Safety

On June 16, 2021 at approximately 1334 hours, the Nelson Police received a complaint that a male had bear sprayed two people in the 800 blk Vernon Street.

 

Upon police arrival, attending members were able to locate the suspect male a few blocks away and took him into custody.  The two victims that were bear sprayed received treatment for their injuries at scene.  The suspect male was transported to the Nelson Police Department to be held pending a bail hearing that will occur tomorrow.

 

The people involved in this matter are known to each other and police do not believe there is further risk to the greater public.

 

The Nelson Police Department, in partnership with School District 8,  LVR School and the Nelson Police Restorative Justice Program have been working tirelessly on a case of vandalism that took place late Sunday evening.  A few students broke into LVR School afterhours and opened doors for numerous others to join them inside the school.  What seems to have been intended as a graduation prank soon got out of hand.  The result was the vandalism to numerous floors of the school, including classrooms and the staff lounge.

 

Members of the Nelson Police Department were notified of the incident after the event had concluded.  Officers attended to find the basement, main level and third floor defaced with shaving cream, glitter, ketchup, mustard, food dye, sugar, flour, rice and approximately 80 raw chicken eggs.  The school principal was summoned to the school in order to see the extent of the vandalism.  Upon viewing the extent of the damages, a decision was made to close the school to students until it was again habitable.

 

Staff from throughout the school district were called in to help rectify the mess.  Several parents volunteered their time to help clean up.  Due to health and safety concerns no students were permitted to assist in the clean up.  Between 35-45 adults worked the entire day to restore the school to a point that it was suitable for students.

 

The Nelson Police Department worked closely with school staff and cooperative students in order to conduct a thorough investigation into what can be characterized as a criminal Break and Enter and Mischief over $5000.  Tenacious officers conducted close to 20 interviews over the next few days.  As a result of this investigative work, four students were arrested and released.  Charges are being considered against some of the instigators.

 

Fortunately, the majority of the students have agreed to participate in the Nelson Police Restorative Justice Program. LVR staff, parents, the director of the restorative justice program and numerous volunteers are already working toward a resolution to this event.  Together, these community partners will work with the students toward achieving a responsible solution to the problem created by this harmful behaviour.

 

 

 

 

Police Stop Van Bringing Fentanyl Into City

May 27, 2021 (Nelson, BC) – NPD has updated a previous media release regarding a rental van that resulted in the arrest of three individuals from Ontario.

Marc MIREAULT (41) remains in custody following a NPD traffic stop that resulted in the largest amount of Fentanyl seized by NPD to date. NPD confirms that 210 grams of Fentanyl was located in the van during a search by officers. The van was spotted by a sharp eyed officer as it entered the city of Nelson following several police incidents earlier in Castlegar and Trail. The van was subsequently stopped by police after another NPD member deployed a spike belt disabling the vehicle. Breane BUHLER (27) and Dustin Rhodes-Shanks (31) have been released on bail. The next court date for this matter is set for November 15, 2021.

****Original Media Release****

February 28, 2021

NPD File 21-834: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Fail to Stop for Police.

On Sunday February 28, 2021 at approximately 1:49pm

Nelson Police Department (NPD) located a rental van that had been involved in two police incidents in Castlegar and Trail earlier in the day. Upon seeing NPD vehicles at Nelson City limits, the driver of the van sped up and entered the City of Nelson. An NPD member was able to deploy a spike belt disabling the van which came to a stop in the 300 block of Ward Street behind a local business. The driver of the van made contact with an NPD vehicle in an attempt to flee the arresting NPD officer. All three parties were taken into custody without incident or injury to the suspects or the NPD and RCMP members who responded. A significant quantity of fentanyl and methamphetamine were located during the arrest. The three occupants, two adult males and one adult female, remain in police custody awaiting court appearance. All three are known to police but have not been dealt with by NPD prior to this incident. A number of charges are being considered including; Fail to Stop for Police, Dangerous Driving and Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.

For more information concerning wanted persons by the Nelson Police Department please follow the link to
 
http://www.nelsonpolice.ca/871/Nelsons-Most-Wanted