Crime

Two teens suspected of involvement with stolen vehicle, trunk full of guns
KAMLOOPS - The lead investigators of a case involving an erratic driver, several guns, a stolen vehicle and three men running from police have released the identity of one of the suspects in custody. Around 2 p.m. on June 20, police received reports of a white 1998 Dodge Stratus with Alberta plates driving erratically near...

Lumby murder victim touched many lives through teaching
VERNON - A North Okanagan teacher allegedly murdered by her boyfriend will be remembered for her contagious smile, kindness and compassion. Linda Ross, a teacher in school district 22’s Alternate Learning Program, was found dead at the Trinity Valley Road home she shared with her partner, Howard Everett, who now faces a second degree murder...

Thieves targeted non-profit 11 times in a month
KAMLOOPS – “Frustrating” and “disheartening” are two words Jan Lingford uses to describe thieves targeting the disadvantaged. The executive director of the Kamloops Habitat for Humanity non-profit says thieves stole from the branch’s supply storage facility 11 times last month. Copper, aluminum, and steel – metals the organization uses to build houses for those who...

Charges dropped for murderer Keith Wiens
PENTICTON - Crown Counsel dropped charges last week against an ex-RCMP officer who was found guilty of murdering his common-law wife in 2011. Keith G. Wiens, who is facing a life sentence in federal prison, was charged with breaching his restrictions. Crown prosecutor John Swanson, who was assigned the case, said he was not told...

RCMP bike patrol resuming next week
KAMLOOPS – While the Kamloops RCMP bike patrol is set to officially start next week, officers were spotted breaking in their bikes at Riverside Park on Thursday afternoon. The bike patrol is planned for the summer months. Members along with auxiliary volunteers will monitor parks, the downtown core and areas of the North Shore. “It...

The smell of pot is enough evidence for arrest
KAMLOOPS – A provincial court judge decided police did not need to request a marijuana permit before arresting a man hiding 73 marijuana plants in the back of his van. Corey Joseph Eld, born 1977, and his lawyer John Conroy argued Eld’s arrest was illegal because police arrested him without asking him if he held...

Police investigate stabbing in North Shore home
KAMLOOPS – A man remains in hospital after a stabbing that happened last night on the North Shore. A fight between two men broke out at a house on Elm Avenue at about 10 p.m. One man received numerous stab wounds. The second man was injured during the struggle. Two other people in the residence...

B.C. Coroners Service releases name of youth who died at Royal Inland Hospital parkade
KAMLOOPS – The B.C. Coroners Service has released the name of the young man who jumped off the parkade at the Royal Inland Hospital and later died of his injuries, Sunday. He was Jacob George Setah, 18, of Hanceville — a hamlet near Williams Lake. Hospital staff members called RCMP members as there was a...

Charges recommended against BB gun owner
KAMLOOPS – After responding to a complaint of a man waving around a gun, police are recommending charges against three men arrested Monday afternoon at an Upper Sahali residence. The resident, a 46-year-old man, was arrested after RCMP received a report of a drunk man with a handgun. The gun looked like a 9mm but...

Police respond to drunk man yelling, swearing, possibly holding gun
KAMLOOPS – Mounties took four people into custody Monday afternoon after responding to a report of an intoxicated man yelling and screaming in his backyard while holding what looked like a 9mm handgun. RCMP members went to the residence located in Upper Sahali at about 2:30 p.m. and recovered the weapon which was determined to...

Arrest made in liquor store robbery
PENTICTON - A suspect arrested following a robbery at an Oliver liquor store last week is now facing potential criminal charges. The 41-year-old Summerland man was arrested Thursday June 13. He faces potential charges of robbery and disguise with intent. Video surveillance provided by Spud’s Liquor Store show the robber wearing a mask, disguising his...

Missing pet searchers dogged by Kamloops scam artist
KAMLOOPS – People in search of their missing pets should be cautious of a male caller saying he found the pet and would like a reward; he may be part of the latest scam. Members of Kamloops RCMP discovered the scam after hearing complaints from pet owners phoned by a man who says he found...

Snelson pays $75K bail, moves to Lake Country
KAMLOOPS — A Kelowna man awaiting a retrial for the manslaughter of a Kelowna college student is now walking free on bail. Last week, Neil George Snelson, 47, was granted bail and Infotel News has learned, he provided the $75,000 and was released to a home in Lake Country to await trial. He will walk...

Trial begins for resort owner suspected of drug dealing
KAMLOOPS - Today was the first day of a jury trial in Kamloops Supreme Court for a resort owner suspected of dealing drugs out of his home near Cache Creek. Gerald Burgess, 64, owner of Loon Lake Resort was charged with nine counts of possessing prescription medication and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, along...

Charges laid in bomb scare
PENTICTON - RCMP are laying criminal charges against a Penticton man who was creating bombs at his home. Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski could not disclose the name of the suspect, a 30-year-old man, who has been released from custody on conditions. The man does not have a criminal history, however the Vancouver-based RCMP bomb squad...