A visitor to Whistler was bullied and assaulted in the Village early Monday (Jan. 23) after a group of men made fun of his Scottish heritage and accent.

The 23-year-old from Edinburgh was on the Village Stroll at about 3 a.m. when the men started making teasing him. One of the suspects then punched him in the head, said Sgt. Shawn LeMay of Whistler RCMP.

The victim sustained minor injuries and his rugby sweater was also ripped during the incident. He told police he had no clue what might have provoked the slurs and attempts to instigate a fight.

When police arrived on scene the suspects had fled, but after talking with witnesses and investigating officers located a group of men at a residence on Panorama Drive who were believed to be involved. As a result of the investigation, a 22-year-old Port Moody resident, who is currently living in Whistler, was arrested and charged with assault. He’s due in court on April 11.

LeMay referred to the incident as a “case of bullying.”

Reward offered in vandalism case

Whistler Blackcomb (WB) officials are offering a reward of a season pass to anyone who has information that leads to the arrest of the person or people responsible for $10,000 in damage to a Peak 2 Peak Gondola cabin.

It’s believed the vandalism occurred sometime last Wednesday (Jan. 18) when the culprit(s) etched three words into the glass of one of cabin’s windows, LeMay said. WB staff members discovered the damage on Thursday morning (Jan. 19).

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044.

Drug trafficking charge

A 26-year-old Mount Currie man is facing a charge of drug possession for the purposes of trafficking after police found him in Whistler Village with small bags of what’s believed to be cocaine.

On Saturday (Jan. 21) at about 10 p.m. officers spotted the suspect, who has been previously suspected of drug activity, inside a retail outlet. He was described to be “intently” watching the activity on the Village Stroll through the window, LeMay said.

When officers asked him to come outside, they noticed he was tightly clenching one of his hands. He refused to open his hand and got into a struggle with police, LeMay said. He was arrested for possession and eventually dropped the small bags from his hand.

The suspect is due in court on April 25.

Assault suspect sought

Police are looking for a Caucasian man, 5’10,” age 25 to 35 with a red beard and slender build after an assault last Wednesday on Northlands Boulevard.

The 19-year-old victim told police he was walking along the street at about 4:50 p.m. when the suspect lunged at him and towards his jeans pockets in what’s believed to be an attempt to steal the victim’s wallet.

The victim pushed him away and to the ground, “furiously” attempting to strike the suspect in defence, LeMay said. The suspect eventually scrambled up and ran away.

Nothing was stolen, but the victim’s jacket was ripped.

Anyone with information is asked to call Whistler RCMP.

Car fire under investigation

It’s too soon to say what caused a BMW convertible to be engulfed in flames early Tuesday morning (Jan. 24), according to Whistler Fire Department investigators.

The white, 1991 model is believed to be a total loss after the fire caused significant damage, LeMay said. Local residents at the corner of Eva Lake Road and Aspen Drive in the Nordic area awoke around 4:30 a.m. after noticing a bright light outside. Several people, including the vehicle owner, gathered on the street to watch the blaze while the fire department responded.

The vehicle was in good condition with no known mechanical issues, LeMay said. So far, no witnesses have been located who saw the fire start.

The vehicle is being held by police while the investigation continues.