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Drugs and drinking: Salmon Arm RCMP respond to incidents

Alleged drug use sparked assault and drifting driver Failed on March 7
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Salmon Arm RCMP are continuing to investigate an alleged assault that took place in the men’s bathroom at Centenoka Park Mall on March 7. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

On March 7, Salmon Arm RCMP responded to separate incidents involving drugs and drinking.

During the day, a woman reported that a 25-year-old man had entered the men’s bathroom in Centenoka Mall, where he found a 44-year-old man allegedly doing drugs, and was subsequently assaulted. When officers attended, however, the older man claimed that he was drying his clothes when the younger one slammed the door open and told him to get out.

Further words were exchanged between the two men, which led to punches being thrown.

“The 25-year-old alleged that the older man punched him first,” Const. Andrew Hodges said in a March 22 media release. “The fight continued on, and an unknown elderly man was observed kicking the 44-year-old then walking away.”

The file remains under investigation.

Later that night, at 11:30 p.m., officers on patrol observed a Jeep drifting right as it travelled southbound on 10th Street SW. They stopped the driver, who admitted to having consuming alcohol around lunchtime, but not since then.

“Police conducted an approved screening device demand, where the driver blew a ‘fail’,” Hodges said. “The driver was then given the opportunity to provide a second sample, and again blew a ‘fail.”

Officers issued a driving prohibition for 90 days, and impounded his Jeep for 30. The matter has been referred to ICBC.

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About the Author: Heather Black

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