News release

Salmon Arm Crime Chronicles December 10 to December 23, 2025

January 7, 2026 - Salmon Arm, British Columbia
From: Salmon Arm RCMP

Content

December 10

Balmoral Rd: At 9:20am Salmon Arm RCMP stopped a red flat deck truck to check driver sobriety and driver’s license. The driver stated the last time he had alcohol was two weeks prior, although the officer could smell alcohol coming from the driver as he spoke. A breath demand was conducted, and the 50-year-old male driver blew a “fail.” The driver declined his right to a second test. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days, and the driver was prohibited from driving for 90 days. The matter was referred to RoadSafetyBC.

10th Ave SE: A complainant reported someone stole their Christmas beaver. The complainant was able to provide surveillance footage which showed at 5am an unknown man and woman walk toward their front yard, then leave carrying the ornamental beaver with them. Police attended a nearby residence and recovered the ornamental beaver. The complainant did not wish to pursue the matter any further and was happy to have their holiday beaver back.

December 21

Trans Canada Hwy: At 1:45pm staff at a local office supply store reported a theft of ink cartridges and the unknown male had just left the store. A staff member followed the male outside and witnessed him flee on foot across the highway. The store had suffered a similar theft by the same male on December 15, 2025. Salmon Arm RCMP previously received a tip out of Kelowna from a loss prevention officer after a media release, that the suspect was driving a black Honda Element with an Alberta license plate. Police made patrols and located a black Honda Element with an Alberta license plate near Lakeshore Drive and Shuswap Street. After observing a large amount of ink cartridges in the floor well of the vehicle, the driver was arrested for theft under $5000. The driver was later released on conditions and a future court date to speak to the allegations.

December 22

Lakeshore Dr: At 7pm a staff member at a local bar reported an intoxicated female customer threw a bowl of soup at another customer and was refusing to leave. Police attended and staff pointed out the 34-year-old woman who had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and was stumbling as she walked. The soup recipient was not wishing to pursue charges for anything and only requested the woman be removed. After speaking with police, the woman was cooperative in leaving and was afforded over 10 minutes to call family or a friend to pick her up. The woman did not make any attempts to call anyone and was subsequently arrested for being intoxicated in public and transported to cells to sober up over night. She was also served a violation ticket for being intoxicated in a public place.

Shuswap St:  At 9:45pm a complainant reported a possible intoxicated driver in a grey Toyota Tacoma, stopped near Alexander St NE. Salmon Arm RCMP attended and located a matching vehicle leaving Alexander St, westbound on Trans Canada Hwy. The vehicle turned onto Shuswap Street and was stopped after police observed the vehicle driving erratically. The 44-year-old male driver stated he last had alcohol two days prior. A breath demand was conducted, and the driver blew a double “fail.” The vehicle was impounded for 30 days, and the driver was prohibited from driving for 90 days. The matter was referred to RoadSafetyBC.

December 23

Trans Canada Hwy: At 3am Salmon Arm RCMP received a report of a collision between a black Honda Pilot and a semi on Trans Canada Hwy and 50th Ave NW. Initial report reading there was an unconscious man laying on the pavement due to a possible ejection. Police attended where BC Ambulance was already on scene with a 38-year-old man and were transporting him to the hospital. A 34-year-old woman informed police she was in the SUV with the 38-year-old man but refused to provide any other details. The woman had minor injuries and did not require an ambulance. The driver of the semi was uninjured and provided a statement that the SUV departed eastbound from the stop sign to cross the highway just as the semi approached the intersection. The semi was unable to slow down and struck the SUV in the rear driver’s side. The driver of the semi provided dash cam footage which supported his version of events. Police attended the hospital and spoke with the 38-year-old man who had minor non-life-threatening injuries and refused to speak with police. Police were unable to determine who was driving the SUV.

Contacts