Two snowmobilers were arrested by Nain RCMP for impaired driving within the community on May 3, 2020.
At approximately 9:00 a.m., police received a report of a suspected impaired driver operating a snowmobile. Officers patrolled the community and located the described snowmobile parked at a residence. The driver, 33-year-old John Angnatok, was intoxicated and was seated on the snowmobile, which was still running. He was arrested for impaired driving and was transported via komatik to the detachment and refused to provide breath samples. Angnatok is prohibited from driving stemming from a previous impaired driving conviction. He was also found to be in breach of a recent release document by operating the snowmobile and now has four separate incidents of impaired driving currently before the court. Angnatok is charged with failing to provide breath samples, impaired driving, driving while prohibited, and failing to comply with a release order. Due to the risk of repetition of impaired driving and public safety, police held Angnatok in custody to appear before a judge and he is scheduled for a bail hearing via telephone on May 5, 2020.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., police were parked conducting traffic enforcement in the community and observed a snowmobile that attempted to avoid police by making a sharp turn from the road onto a wooded trail. The officer caught up to the snowmobile and conducted a traffic stop near the Jeremias Sillett Community Centre. The man was suspected to be impaired by alcohol and failed a roadside breath test. He was arrested and transported back to the detachment where he provided breath samples that were over the legal limit. He was released from custody and is set to attend court on July 21, 2020, to answer to charges of impaired driving.
RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.