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Monday, May 4, 2015
CRIME
Arrest made in phone scam case Port Alberni residents defrauded by a man claiming to be Tseshaht First Nations chief Braker ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
An alleged con artist was arrested in Nanaimo last week. After sympathetic Port Alberni residents were scammed for over $1,000 by falling for the impersonation a local First Nations chief. Robert Bennett Peters, who has no fixed address, faces two charges of fraud for deceiving telephone calls that claimed to be from Tseshaht First Nation Chief Hugh Braker. The 49-year-old suspect allegedly made numerous local calls in March and April in which he identified himself as Braker. The caller told victims another Nuu-chah-nulth member’s daughter was dying and needed
“This individual was preying upon kindhearted and generous citizens who were willing to help their fellow man deal with tragedy – it was morally and criminally reprehensible.” Insp. Mac Richards, Port Alberni RCMP RICHARDS
money, Braker said in an interview with the Times last week. Three people in Port Alberni gave up between $300 and $500 each, while others were
unsuccessfully solicited, said Braker. Peters was eventually apprehended Wednesday near the Nanaimo harbour where police
believe he directed victims to bring funds. Earlier last week an RCMP investigator had obtained surveillance photos of the suspected fraudster, which were dispersed to businesses in the harbour area. One proprietor called the police after seeing Peters enter the business. “We are pleased with the outcome of this troubling matter,” said Insp. Mac Richards in an RCMP release. “This individual was preying upon kind-hearted and generous citizens who were willing to help their fellow man deal with tragedy – it was morally and criminally reprehensible.”
Accused man has history of fraud Peters has a criminal history dating back to 1997, offences that include fraud, escape from lawful custody and breaching conditions of release. He remains in police custody and is scheduled to appear in Port Alberni Law Courts on May 13. eric.plummer@avtimes.net 250-723-8171 ext. 226 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to news@avtimes.net. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
ALBERNI LIVING
Vital signs report: Make your opinion known on community survey this month KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
B.C. Court of Appeal votes in favour of gov’t the B.C. Court of Appeal reaffirms that classroom issues still pit educators against the provincial government. » Alberni Region, 10
Concerete Rockets find first win vs. Warriors Two teams faced each other on the courts looking for their first win in Port Alberni’s men’s basketball spring league »Sports, 5
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D
o you want to share your views on Port Alberni? A group of community-minded individuals are looking for your honest opinions on a variety of topics. For the first time, the Alberni Valley Vital Signs survey will be used to compile data supplied by residents on issues pertinent to the city’s lifestyle and economics. A final report will be prepared and the information will be used for further community development. The project is being taken on by the Alberni Valley Community Foundation as an ongoing initiative launched by the Community Foundations of Canada a number of years ago. The organization encourages community foundations in all cities across the country to undertake the Vital Signs survey and prepare final reports. Responsible for funding the report, the AVCF will use the results to direct the work they do and where funding will be allocated. The Foundation has contracted research facilitator, Maggie Hodge Kwan to bring the report together. “This survey will take the temperature of the community as a whole,” Hodge Kwan said. With the help of Community Foundations of Canada, she has steamlined data and customized the survey specific for Port Alberni. Through her research, she designed questions in which residents have expressed interest. “I took a look at local discus-
Maggie Hodge Kwan and John Mayba are encouraging residents to pick up a survey to be used in the community’s first Vital Signs report. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
“This survey will take the temperature of the community as a whole.” Maggie Hodge Kwan, research facilitator
sions and conversations people were having about where we live,” Hodge Kwan said. “I researched issues with the municipal government and
stayed on top of what Port Alberni has been talking about.” The survey has been designed to address the elements of arts and culture, belonging and leadership, environment, the gap between rich and poor, getting started in the community, health, housing, learning, safety and work. For the Alberni Valley Community Foundation, this will be a document they want to share with the community. Funding community groups, charities and organizations is a large part
of what the foundation works toward. “Every year we give out about $16,000 in grant money,” said John Mayba, AVCF director. “When we get the applications coming in, we can use this data to determine where best to distribute the funds. This report will be good to show us where we are doing well as a whole, where organizations need improving and which ones could use funding.” See VITALS, Page 3
Inside today What’s On 2 Alberni Region 3
Opinion 4 Sports 5
ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 85
Scoreboard 6 Alberni Album 7
Comics 8 Classifieds 9
On the Island 9 Living Well 12
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