Whistler RCMP received a report of debit card skimming last week, with a man reporting that money was stolen from his bank account after he used two ATMs in the Village.

On Friday (Feb. 11), the man said he had taken money out on three occasions at two separate ATMs in Whistler Village. When he checked his account the next day, money had been taken out at an ATM at Capilano Mall in North Vancouver, said Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair.

Officers checked the two Village machines and there was no signs of tampering, and if a skimming device had been in place it had since been removed, LeClair said. The investigation is ongoing.

Art stolen from Village gallery

A small metal figurine valued at between $3,000 and $4,000 was reported stolen from an art gallery in Whistler Village last Thursday (Feb. 10).

The gallery opened at 11 a.m. that day and staff members noticed the figurine was missing at about 3:15 p.m., LeClair said. They’re not sure when it was taken.

The figurine was small enough to fit in a pocket or small bag, he added.

Stranded snowmobilers safe after long walk

Police and search and rescue personnel were on standby last Thursday night after two snowmobilers became stranded in the Callaghan Valley and had to walk out of the area.

The two men got their sleds stuck and called police to report the situation at about 6 p.m., LeClair said. Officers stayed in regular contact by phone while they walked out, and search and rescue was notified.

Police got word about 12 hours later that the men arrived safely out of the area.
“They had a long walk,” LeClair said.

Nightclub assaults reported

Intoxicated patrons of local pubs and nightclubs were arrested for assault and public intoxication after several separate incidents over the last week.

First, on Thursday at about 9 p.m. a staff member at an après location in the Benchlands called police to report a violent, intoxicated man trying to fight with bar staff, LeClair said. When officers arrived, a 39-year-old Whistlerite was being restrained on the ground by two bar staff and he wasn’t wearing a shirt.

The man was “extremely intoxicated” and was arrested, held in cells until he was sober, and issued tickets for obstruction and being intoxicated in public, LeClair said. Bar staff did not wish to pursue assault charges.

In a separate incident on Friday at about 2 a.m., police were called to a Village nightclub after an intoxicated patron punched a bouncer in the nose. Officers were told that the 25-year-old Whistlerite was kicked out of the bar but wouldn’t leave the front area. He argued with staff members and when they tried to escort him away from the bar he turned and punched one of the staff members, LeClair said.

The man suffered minor injuries during the altercation and was examined by paramedics. He was taken into police custody until he was sober and fined of public intoxication. Assault charges were not pursued.

Two female Whistler residents were arrested for public intoxication on Sunday (Feb. 13) after RCMP received a complaint that a woman had hit a staff member at a local pub several times and was trying to start fights with other patrons, LeClair said. The 23- and 25-year-old were also issued bylaw tickets for nuisance.