The following is a summary of the items of interest for the months of July and August 2016.

Files of Interest:

On July 18, 2016 at 1504 hours, police members responded to the Port Moody Fire Department (PMFD)’s request for assistance at the Flavelle Sawmill in the 2400 block of Murray St, Port Moody. The PMFD needed the Port Moody Police Department (PMPD) to establish a safe perimeter, reroute traffic and evacuate pedestrians and businesses in Rocky Point Park while they attempted to extinguish a fire in the large sawdust pile at the northeast corner of the cedar mill. The Boathouse restaurant, Pajos Fish and Chips, and the Old Mill Boathouse were requested to close down and evacuate due to the fear of the wind changing direction and the potential toxicity of the smoke.

Police members were dispatched to Westhill Park at 203 Westhill Place, Port Moody. The complainant called to say there was a group of kids and cars congregating in the parking lot and in the park. The complainant was worried the youth were committing mischief. Upon police arrival a dozen youth sitting in groups of one’s and two’s staring at their cellphones. None were drinking. None were smoking. No offence was being committed. The youths cheerfully explained they were playing Pokémon Go. The attending member was advised Westhill park “is a hot spot for Pokémon Go

In late July the police received information that specific stolen property was being advertised on Craigslist. The suspects attended a location to sell the items and were stopped by police.  The suspects were operating a U-Haul van containing two kayaks and two mountain bikes.  One of the suspects admitted knowing the items were stolen.  ‘Think’ kayak valued at $5,200,  ‘Current Designs’ kayak valued at $1,100,  ‘Giant SX’ mountain bike valued at $4,900 and ‘Specialized Camber’ mountain bike valued at $3100 were seized as the result of the investigation.  Most of the property was returned to the rightful owners.  Charges are pending and the investigation is on-going.

Police members were checking the underground of a local apartment building and detected the odour of vegetative marijuana. A male was located in his vehicle and was determined to be the source of the odour. The male was arrested under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Search incident to arrest yielded signs of drug trafficking. Multiple baggies of powder and crack cocaine were located. Marijuana clippings were located in the foot wells of the vehicle (causing the odour). Canadian currency and two cell phones were seized with the drugs. The vehicle was seized and processed under civil forfeiture legislation. A search of the car located a hidden compartment containing additional currency. The male driver was arrested and was known to police for similar offences.

In late July a complainant reported a red Honda Civic with a Temporary Permit, speeding around Port Moody with a male riding on the roof of the car. The vehicle was located without the external passenger and stopped by police. Driver displayed symptoms of alcohol impairment but refused to provide a breath sample into a roadside screening device.  The driver was given an Immediate Roadside Prohibition and the vehicle was impounded.

Port Moody Police members attended the area where a vehicle had fled from Coquitlam RCMP resulting in a short police pursuit. A Port Moody member located the abandoned vehicle stopped the driver walking away from the scene.  The driver was turned over to the investigating Coquitlam RCMP members.

On Aug 7 2016, At 1720 hours, members attended the Starbucks at 221 Ioco Rd for a report of a 16 year old female who was believed to have overdosed in the washroom there. Upon arrival, Port Moody Fire Rescue and BC Ambulance were providing CPR. Unfortunately they were unable to revive this female.  The situation was believed to be a drug overdose.

In early August, a theft from auto, an attempted theft of auto, and a recovered stolen auto all occurred within one block overnight. Another confirmed stolen vehicle, a commercial van, was subsequently located several blocks away.  All were believed to be related.  The vehicles were examined by the Forensic Identification section but nothing of note was discovered.  The suspect(s) had attempted to gain access to the locked rear compartment of the van but were unsuccessful.

The Port Moody Police received a report of an erratic driver on the access road to White Pine Beach. The complainant stated that the vehicle was full of teenagers, speeding and almost caused a collision.  The vehicle was located by a patrolling member in one of the White Pine Parking lots.  While the member was speaking with the occupants, one male suddenly lost consciousness and fell to the ground.  BC Ambulance was summoned and Port Moody Fire Rescue attended.  The male could not maintain consciousness while awaiting the arrival of EHS but stated that he had not done any drugs.  EHS ultimately cleared the male and he left the scene with his friends.  The fainting spell could not be explained.

In mid-August, the BC Ambulance Service requested the PMPD attend the parking lot of a local licensed establishment for an intoxicated male who was unable to stand. Members attended and located an intoxicated male lying in the parking lot with a mostly consumed bottle of rubbing alcohol in his jacket. The male was arrested for being Intoxicated in a public place and transported back to PMPD cells. BC Ambulance checked the male in cells and was held until he was sober.

In the early morning hours a member was conducting foot patrols through underground parkades in the City when he observed a backpack and bicycle lying beside a car with an open sunroof. A check of the parkade discovered two other vehicles possibly rummaged through. The backpack contained property ultimately identified by one of the vehicle owners. Also in the backpack was identification belonging to a known Coquitlam property crime offender. This male was subsequently located in a nearby area by other members.  The male was found to be wearing sunglasses belonging to one of the owners of the vehicles in the parkade.  The male was arrested and charged with Possessing stolen property.