Salt Spring RCMP

COVID-19: RCMP - Be Kind to Each Other and Retailers

Local retailers on Salt Spring Island have been the subject of ridicule and abuse as they ensure that masks are worn by patrons entering their store. Presently, the wearing of masks is mandated by the province and retailers are merely following the rules to keep patrons and their staff safe. Businesses have the responsibility due to the recent public health order to ask their patrons to wear face coverings or non medical masks while on premises and to refuse service for non‐compliance. Individuals have the right not to attend the business if they decide not to wear a protective mask to help prevent the spread COVID‐19. We highly encourage everyone to respect provincial health orders for their safety and the safety of others. Although we would hope not to issue violation tickets, people found in contravention can be fined $230 for abusive or belligerent behaviour and/or failure to wear a face covering (mask). Sgt. Clive Seabrook pleads, "Please respect our local reta…

Salt Spring Island RCMP Community Report - 2020, 3rd Quarter Statistics

Responding to community interest, Salt Spring RCMP will attempt to provide call volume information at different times throughout the year; this specific news article will include a listing of some investigations and various complaints in the 3rd quarter of 2020. As of October 1 2020, Salt Spring RCMP have responded to over 2,200 calls this year, averaging 8-9 calls per day. Approximately 700 calls were received by Salt Spring RCMP during the July 1 2020 – September 30 2020 3rd quarter period; this number does not include traffic stops, licenced premises checks or park patrols. Some of the calls for this quarter are detailed below: July 2020 Salt Spring RCMP assisted Victoria Police Department with their search for a Missing Person. Salt Spring RCMP entered into an investigation involving multiple sexual assaults that occurred on Salt Spring Island this summer. With the help of Vancouver Island General Investigative Service, the suspects were subsequently arrested …

Young Man Charged in Shooting Death

A young man has now been arrested and charged in the shooting death of a teenager on Salt Spring Island last September. In in the early hours of Sept 24, 2017, police responded to a residence on Salt Spring Island for a report of a shooting. When police arrived they found 6 youths present, a 17-year-old was suffering from what appeared to a gun shot wound. He was transported to hospital with life threatening injuries, where he later died. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) were called to investigate the incident. The man, who cannot be identified because he was a youth at the time of the offence, has now been charged with one count of Manslaughter. He appeared in court earlier today. We understand that this investigation has greatly impacted all involved. These events always have a profound impact on families and communities, states Inspector Dave Hall, Officer in Charge of VIIMCU. Our thoughts are with them, as we work to prepare for future cour…

Salt Spring RCMP respond to body in Ganges Harbour

On May 5 the Salt Spring RCMP responded to a report of a body in the water in Ganges Harbour which had been spotted by a tourist. When officers arrived Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue were on scene and had removed the deceased woman from the water. The initial investigation indicated that the woman's death was not criminal in nature and the file has been turned over to the BC Coroners Service.

RCMP - Break In Suspects Arrested

On March 13, 2018, break, enter, and thefts were reported to two businesses on Lower Ganges Rd. Significant damage was done at one of the businesses and numerous tools were taken from both. Through the course of the investigation, a suspect vehicle and general description of one of the suspects was generated. On March 16, the suspect vehicle, with two occupants, was located at the south end of the Island. Michael Ingram, 44 years of Nanaimo, and Ernest Stolarchuk, 43 years also of Nanaimo, are currently under several charges related to possession of stolen property. They are currently in custody and are appearing in Duncan Provincial court on March 19. Anyone with information related to these thefts is asked to contact the Salt Spring RCMP or Crimestoppers. Sgt. Ryan Netzer Detachment Commander Salt Spring RCMP

Alert: Missing Boater on Salt Spring - Update - Deceased Located

UPDATE: The Salt Spring Island RCMP have confirmed that they have located the boater deceased. The name of the deceased will not be released pending next of kin. The body was located near Powder Island at approximately 2:30 pm on June 13th, 2017.The Salt Spring RCMP with the assistance of RCMP West Coast Marine located the body and the recovery was conducted by the RCMP Dive Team. On June 12th, 2017, at approximately 8:15 pm, the Salt Spring Island RCMP received a call of a male in the water near Powder Island in Ganges Harbour. An unknown male and his dog were in a small skiff travelling towards one of the numerous boats moored in the harbour when witnesses saw the skiff capsize. Assistance was rendered and the dog was saved. The male has not yet been located despite efforts by Coast Guard vessels, Eagle Eye Marine Vessel and a local vessel. Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue will conduct a ground search of the shore line today at a lower tide. RCMP West Coast…

Update to Missing Person Case

On April 7th, 2017, Salt Spring Island RCMP received additional information in relation to the disappearance of 36 year old man, who was the subject of a missing person's report in mid- March. This information has resulted in the discovery of human remains off Southey Point, at the northern tip of Salt Spring Island. The male was reported missing to the Salt Spring Island RCMP on the evening of March 17th, 2017. An extensive land, air and marine search of the northern portion of Salt Spring Island was undertaken involving crews from Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Canada Coast Guard, RCMP Air Services, and the RCMP West Coast Marine Service. Despite the efforts of search crews, no sign of missing male were found. Investigators with the Salt Spring Island RCMP have continued to work on this case over the past three weeks, following up on multiple investigative aspects. On April 7th, 2017, police were alerted to the discovery o…

RCMP Seek Public's Assistance in Locating Missing Man

Salt Spring Island RCMP are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing man last seen on March 15, 2017 at 2 pm in the area of Suneagle Drive on Salt Spring Island. Andrew Norman DeMarsh, 36, is described as a caucasian man, 6'3", 186 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Investigators are seeking information from BC Ferries passengers departing Salt Spring Island from any terminal on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (March 15-17). It is believed that Andrew would have boarded as a foot passenger, if he left Salt Spring Island via BC Ferries. Salt Spring RCMP currently have support from RCMP West Coast Marine Section, RCMP Air Services, Royal Marine Search and Rescue, Coast Guard Canada, and Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue. "All available resources for land, air and water based searches are engaged and currently supporting local officers in their search for Andrew DeMarsh", states Cpl. Darren Lagan with the Salt Spring Island RCMP. "Anyone with information …

SAR Team and RCMP Locate Lost Hiker

Shortly before 6:30 pm on December 22nd, 2016, the Salt Spring Island RCMP received a 9-1-1 call from a 61 year old Oregon resident, who was vacationing on Salt Spring Island. The woman reported that she had gone for a hike in Ruckle Provincial Park, and become disoriented on the trails as daylight diminished. Ruckle Provincial Park is located at the Southeast end of Salt Spring Island, and known for its combination of rugged shoreline and wilderness trails. RCMP Dispatchers maintained communication with the hiker via her cell phone as police responded to the park. Throughout the search, dispatchers kept the woman updated, and ensured she remained calm and stationary. The woman reported that she was appropriately clothed, had recently eaten, was carrying a flashlight, and had a decent amount of cellular telephone battery life remaining. This hiker did the right thing by calling for help early on, staying put, and remaining calm throughout the ensuing hours as police and S…

Salt Spring RCMP

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