Tag Archives: Crime & Courts
Early release for non-violent offenders under review, prison officials implement COVID-19 response plan
NANAIMO - Early release for certain prisoners is one of numerous changes impacting the province's prison and judicial system during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.Risk assessments are underway to dete...
Apr 04, 2020 BC Corrections is reviewing the suitability of releasing certain non-violent prisoners early to ease inmate populations amid the COVID-19 health crisis. It's not known if any NCC inmates have or will be granted early release. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Always new expenses:' Lawsuits filed as anniversary of Broncos bus crash nears
It's been almost two years since the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan and with the solemn anniversary comes a closing legal window that has seen several lawsuits filed in court.Sixtee...
Apr 04, 2020 (The Canadian Press)
'Always new expenses:' Lawsuits filed as anniversary of Broncos bus crash nears
It's been almost two years since the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan and with the solemn anniversary comes a closing legal window that has seen several lawsuits filed in court.Sixtee...
Apr 03, 2020 (The Canadian Press)
Nanaimo RCMP respond with guns drawn to Port Place Mall
NANAIMO - A serious police presence was called to the Port Place Shopping Centre for what ended up being a "ridiculous" false alarm. Cst. Gary O'Brien said a firearms call at the downtown mall came in...
Apr 03, 2020 Nanaimo RCMP officers found a 45-year-old man who'd thrown away a broken pellet gun, not someone with a workable firearm at Port Place Shopping Centre. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Oceanside RCMP unveils online crime reporting platform
PARKSVILLE - Non-urgent and less serious Parksville-Qualicum area crimes can now be reported with the click of a button. Oceanside RCMP announced the launch of its online crime reporting website, desi...
Apr 01, 2020 A new tool will help Oceanside RCMP prioritize their many police cases. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nanaimo RCMP see uptick in commercial, vehicle 'smash and grabs' during COVID-19 shutdown
NANAIMO - Local police say the number of smash and grabs from vehicles and businesses in increasing. A business on Fifth St. was vandalized on Tuesday, March 24 by having its front window smashed in. ...
Mar 31, 2020 Downtown Nanaimo is empty and shops are boarded up as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'A death sentence:' Advocates warn of COVID-19 spread in jails, prisons
Advocates across Canada are calling for the release of non-violent offenders and a unified plan to deal with the health and safety of inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. "What we have is people...
Mar 26, 2020
Man fined $10K for cutting down tree holding bald eagle nest in Comox
COURTENAY - A stiff fine was levied against a man responsible for cutting down a tree in Comox which destroyed an active bald eagle's nest.Russel Frederick Vida, 54, pleaded guilty to the March 5, 201...
Mar 24, 2020 Russell Frederick Vida was convicted after pleading guilty to cutting down a tree home to a bald eagle's nest in Comox. The case was resolved recently in provincial court in Courtenay following the March 5, 2019 incident. (BC Conservation Officer Service)
Wild armed robbery goes off the rails in Nanaimo, one man charged
NANAIMO - A man was arrested following a bizarre botched armed robbery at the 7-Eleven convenience store in Harewood.Nanaimo RCMP said it happened Friday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m. when the man walked int...
Mar 24, 2020 An attempted robbery in Harewood lead to a comedy of errors for the would-be thief. The 29-year-old man faces charges and a June court appearance. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'They have no concept they're operating a motor vehicle:' RCMP ramp up enforcement on distracted drivers
NANAIMO - The dogged determination of mid-Island drivers to use their cell phone while driving is forcing area RCMP to be more proactive in how they deal with distracted drivers.Police are using March...
Mar 16, 2020 RCMP continue to witness widespread cell phone use by drivers. Distracted driving is the number two factor in fatal crashes in BC. (Alberta Motor Association)