Police responded to a number of incidents over the weekend, ranging from arson to theft.
• At 8:16 p.m. Saturday, July 14 the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a report that a youth had set fire to a garbage can at the skateboard park located at 525 Proctor St.
Witnesses reported that the youth had a can of bear spray and, when the top broke off, he placed the can into the garbage container and lit it on fire. The fire department attended to extinguish the small fire. The matter is still under investigation.
• At 2 a.m. Sunday, July 15 the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a call in the vicinity of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital (517 Sixth Ave. North) that there was a male in a black hoody and a red hat, who appeared to have a machete tucked into his pants. Police arrived and located a male who had a knife in his left hand. The male was placed under arrest for possession of a concealed weapon.
The male was identified and confirmed as being a youth; consequently he was released to the custody of his mother and released without charge as no offences were committed.
• At about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 15 the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a report of a house fire.
The report was that an apartment on Third Avenue had a lot of smoke in it and the stove was on. Police attended and entered the unit, which was filled with thick smoke.
There was no fire; however, burnt food in a pan on the stove was determined to be the cause. Police located the occupant of the residence, sleeping on the couch, roused him and got him out of the apartment. The occupant was unharmed.
The building fire alarm went off causing the tenants to vacate for a short time. The Williams Lake fire department attended to ensure no possibility of fire and to clear out the smoke. Once smoke cleared residents returned to their suites. No further action by police was required.
• At about 2:42 a.m. on Sunday, July 15, police responded to a report of a break, enter and theft at a vendor tent at the Arts on the Fly festival in Horsefly.
Police spoke with the owner of the vendor tent, who stated that someone had broken into his business tent, damaged approximately $3,000 worth of the merchandise, and stolen approximately 104 Silver sterling rings (the rings are worth approximately $20 each). The matter is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Williams Lake RCMP or call Crimestoppers.
• On Sunday, July 15, at about 9:37 p.m, the Williams Lake RCMP received a complaint of vandalism involving garden hoses that had been cut at 705 Midnight Dr. at the Kings Court apartments.
No suspects were identified. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Williams Lake RCMP 250-392-6211 or call Crimestoppers at 1-8000-222-TIPS (8477).