(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

CHASE - RCMP say a Christmas Eve checkstop in Celista that produced nothing more than verbal warnings shows local motorists are heeding the message about drinking and driving.

In a release, Chase RCMP Sgt. Gary Heebner says one ticket for no insurance was issued as were verbal warnings, but no impaired driving charges among the 30 vehicles checked.

A few days later on Dec. 29, a driver near Sorrento appeared to have ignored the drinking and driving rules, after police followed up on reports of an impaired driver. But when police stopped the vehicle, they found the driver to be suffering from a medical emergency and called B.C. Ambulance. Alcohol was not a factor.

A pick-up truck reported abandoned to Chase RCMP at a highway pullout Dec. 28 turned out to be a Ford F-350 stolen out of Calgary. Police say the ignition had been tampered with. During recovery of the truck, it inadvertently rolled into Shuswap Lake.

Meanwhile, a white 1996 Dodge Ram pick-up truck was reported stolen from a driveway on Duck Range Road in Pritchard. The truck has a B.C. license plate number JM1056 and police say not to approach the vehicle but to call 911.

Road mishaps also kept police busy over the holidays. Police report three single-vehicle incidents between Dec. 23 and Dec. 27.

The first incident occured Dec. 23 when police where notified of a Toyota Tundra that hit the ditch near Pillar Lake resort. On Dec. 26, police attended an incident on Highway 1 near Planter Road. The driver reportedly lost control on black ice, hit the ditch but then came back out on the road. No one was injured. The next day police attended a single vehicle rollover on Highway 1 near Little River Road. The driver lost control of a Ford Escape during heavy snow conditions and rolled onto its roof. The driver, a passenger and a dog were unhurt.

On Christmas Day, someone broke into a garage on Dunkirk Road in Sorrento. A neighbour notified the homeowner who found his garage and car parked inside had been rifled throught, although nothing was taken.

Police are asking anyone with information about these or any other crimes to call Chase RCMP at 250-679-3221.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724

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