Police issue release regarding morning fire and robbery attempt
By Castlegar Source
Ed Note: The following is a press release issued by Castlegar RCMP Cpl. Dave Johnson:
At approximately 5 a.m. May 4, Castlegar RCMP responded to two simultaneous incidents in the Castlegar city area. The first call was a report building fire on 2nd Street near 11th Avenue. A passing motorist noticed flames from inside business and contacted emergency services. The building had housed a previous business but had not been open for business for some time. No injuries were reported to either the public or emergency services workers. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.
In the same time frame the Castlegar RCMP also responded to an alarm at the Chevron gas station on Columbia Avenue. Upon arrival, police discovered that the front of the building had been breached causing extensive damage. Further investigation involving store video footage and scene examination revealed that a vehicle was used to breech the front window area of the building where two individuals entered the store for a brief period of time and then left the scene in the vehicle. It is unknown at this time if anything was taken from the scene. RCMP Forensic Identification Unit attended the scene and conducted a scene exam on the business as well as a subsequently recovered van that is believed to have been used in the incident. The vehicle was determined to have been stolen from a business in Castlegar during the previous hours. This investigation is ongoing with all potential avenues of investigation being considered.
Both investigations are continuing and police are asking that if anyone saw any suspicious activities in those areas around that time frame they can call the Castlegar Detachment at 250-365-7721 or contact Crimestoppers.
