Merritt RCMP Files – November 8, 2021

Merritt man pleaded guilty to firearms charges

A Merritt man has pleaded guilty to two firearm charges stemming from a January 2021 incident.

On January 9, 2021 just before 8 p.m., Merritt RCMP responded to a 9-1-1 emergency call after a Sun Valley resident allegedly fire a non-restricted firearm towards a neighbouring residence during a dispute. The Southeast District Emergency Response Team was immediately deployed to Merritt to assist, while front line officers responded to the scene to assess the situation.

On November 2, 2021, Mr. Christopher Skidmore pleaded guilty to Possessing a Firearm without a license and Careless Storage of a Firearm.

Skidmore received a Conditional Sentence Order for 6 months, followed by 18 months of probation, a 10 year mandatory firearms prohibition and a $200 victim surcharge.

Kamloops man pleaded guilty after a crime spree

A Kamloops man had pleaded guilty to a crime spree that occurred throughout the Thompson Nicola region.

On April 1, 2021, the Logan Lake RCMP was alerted to a suspicious vehicle that was eventually located with a single male occupant in the Logan Lake Library parking lot. When police attempted to stop the vehicle it fled at a high rate of speed. It was later determined to be stolen.

The Logan Lake RCMP located the suspect and stolen vehicle a short time later at a private residence in the 8500-block of Highway 97C. The suspect had allegedly broken into the residence and subsequently stole a motorhome, among other property including firearms, and again fled from police towards Merritt BC.

The Merritt RCMP successfully deployed a spike belt and stopped the motorhome on a commercial property near the 2600-block of Highway 97C.

On November 4, 2021, Mr. Michael Lazaruk pleaded guilty to Flight from Police, Carry a Concealed Weapon and Theft of a Motor Vehicle.

Lazaruk was sentenced to 180 days in jail and probation for 1 year.

Merritt woman pleaded guilty to theft under $5000

Romona Michel has pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000.

On April 2, 2021, Merritt RCMP received a report that a female had stolen a wallet from a parked vehicle in the 2300 block of Nicola Avenue. Front line officers responded and were able to identify the female from surveillance footage. The female was arrested a short time later, the wallet was located in her possession and returned to its owner.

On November 2, 2021, Ms. Ramona Michel pleaded guilty to theft under $5000. She was given a suspended sentence and probation for 9 months.