This past week was the second week of the RCMP Holiday Checkstop Program.
3530 vehicles were checked at 70 checkstops. 40 charges were made, 18 for impaired driving, 17 for improper storage of alcohol or cannabis in a vehicle, and 5 for refusing a breath demand. There were 8 alcohol-related tiered suspensions. The highest blood/alcohol reading was .300, nearly 4 times the legal limit.
Last year during the second week there were 50 checkstops that checked 2306 vehicles and 23 charges were laid.
One checkstop on Highway 12 in Steinbach resulted in an arrest. The driver could not provide vehicle registration and was asked to pull over. It was quickly determined that the vehicle was stolen. Further investigation determined that the driver was also in possession of counterfeit currency, break-in tools, and drug paraphernalia. Cory Couture was arrested and charged with identity fraud, Possession of Property Over $5000, Possession of Property Under $5000, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, and Possession of Break-In Instruments. The vehicle was seized and the investigation continues.
