$8,000 fine, 2-year fishing licence suspension for man who fled B.C. conservation officers

A B.C. Conservation Officer Service truck is seen in this undated image. (BCCOS/Facebook)

A Dawson Creek man has been fined $8,000 and had his fishing licence suspended for two years over an incident in which he fled from conservation officers during a compliance inspection.

Travis Ricky Wiebe pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle on a highway without due care and attention and failing to remain stopped in his vehicle for an officer, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which posted a summary of the case on social media Thursday.

The BCCOS said its officers stopped Wiebe on Rocky Creek Forest Service Road near Chetwynd in April 2024 to conduct a hunting and fishing compliance inspection.

“During the stop, the driver was unable to produce valid identification, a driver’s licence, vehicle insurance or a valid angling licence,” the post reads.

“While the check was underway, the man failed to remain stopped, proceeding to drive away at a high rate of speed. None of the vehicle occupants—including two adults and a child—were wearing seatbelts.”

Online court records indicate Wiebe was charged with a total of eight offences under B.C.’s Wildlife and Motor Vehicle acts. All but the two he pleaded guilty to were stayed.

In addition to the fine and the fishing licence suspension, the BCCOS said, Wiebe received a five-year probation order.

“The BCCOS reminds the public that flight from law enforcement is dangerous, illegal and puts the public and passengers, especially children, at risk,” the post concludes.