Man kicked off Via Rail in Clearwater for alleged inappropriate touching

Clearwater RCMP have responded to 34 calls for service since June 22, including a suspected fraud at a business and a speeding vehicle from Barriere that was issued multiple tickets during a stop in Little Fort.

On June 25, at approximately 11:37 a.m., a woman who owns a business on Young Road called police to report that a man who had written his name as “Olivier Beauchamp” was suspected of fraud. Clearwater RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Grant Simpson said the man, who gave his name as “Olivier,” purchased a watch for $400 using a debit card. A few days later, he returned it claiming it wasn’t working properly and received a $300 cheque refund. On June 25, he returned claiming the cheque wasn’t working, returned the cheque and was given $200 by the business owners and was left in a white 1990s GM pickup truck.

Simpson did not provide a specific description of the vehicle or license plate number. He added, “The daughter was in the back of the store and did not realize her father had written a check or cash. She immediately checked with online banking and confirmed that the check was likely deposited using a cell phone.” No identification was obtained during the refunds, no suspect vehicle was found, the suspect had not been seen in town before and video of the store is not available.

Sergeant Simpson said the investigation is ongoing and police are asking other businesses and the general public to be diligent in case this individual is residing nearby and causing further or similar problems elsewhere.

“Business owners have indicated that they will implement a standard operating procedure regarding verification of identification before placing names and other information on refund checks,” Simpson said.

On Friday, June 28, at approximately 1 p.m., Officer Van Woudenberg was driving northbound on Highway 5 near John Foster Place when he observed a white Dodge Journey traveling southbound. Officer Van Woudenberg estimated the vehicle was traveling 110 km/h in the 80 km/h zone, but radar showed the vehicle was traveling 120 km/h.

Constable Van Woudenberg then attempted to stop the vehicle, following the driver for approximately 4 km, with his sirens and emergency lights activated.

“Constable Van Woudenberg observed the driver looking back at him in his rear view mirror, but the vehicle never slowed down, reaching 135 km/h before Constable Van Woudenberg stopped, due to the high volume of traffic on the highway, to avoid a dangerous situation,” explained Sergeant Simpson.

However, Corporal McGeorge located the vehicle in Little Fort, where he was arrested. The driver and registered owner, a 46-year-old man from Barriere, was issued several tickets and the vehicle was towed by Clearwater Towing. The driver admitted to police that he saw Constable Van Woudenberg behind him.

On Saturday, June 29, at approximately 3:17 p.m., Clearwater RCMP received a call from a Via Rail employee requesting police presence on the Clearwater platform and advising that a male passenger needed to be removed from the train “due to inappropriate actions toward other passengers.”

Constable Van Woudenberg attended the scene and met with staff who reported that the man had touched a young girl and that she and her grandmother wanted to file a complaint.

The officer then took statements from the victim and her grandmother as well as from a friend, who had witnessed the incident, along with her mother.

Both girls confirmed that the man had repeatedly stroked the victim's arm from the elbow to the fingers in an “inappropriate” manner.

The Markham, Ontario man was arrested for sexual interference, his identity was confirmed, he was removed from the train and transported to the Clearwater detachment where he was released a short time later on a recognizance with conditions. The investigation is ongoing.