Drunk driver flees police to a cemetery in Latvia; Home Guard helps hunt illegal salmon fishing
In Talsi municipality on 31 October, police detained an intoxicated woman who tried to escape in an Audi. Meanwhile, the State Environmental Service and the Home Guard are stepping up checks on illegal salmon fishing, and "Rīgas meži" warns about motorbikes in forests near Riga.
On the evening of 31 October, in Talsi municipality in western Latvia, the State Police detained an intoxicated woman who tried to escape a patrol in an Audi. A criminal case has been opened against her for refusing an alcohol test. Separately, the State Environmental Service (VVD) is working with the Zemessardze, Latvia's National Guard volunteer force, to check waters for illegal salmon fishing, while forest company "Rīgas meži" reports motorcyclists and quad bike riders in forests around Riga.
Chase in Talsi municipality
Police received a report that an intoxicated woman in a shop in Mazirbe was about to drive an Audi, and bystanders had failed to stop her. A patrol from the Northern Kurzeme precinct's response unit spotted the car beyond Dundaga, switched on its flashing lights and followed. The driver turned onto a road leading to Anstrupe cemetery and sped up to 121 km/h. The car then ran along the roadside and crashed into trees.
The woman got out and ran toward the cemetery, but officers caught her and she no longer resisted. She smelled of alcohol and her speech was slurred. She admitted drinking but refused a breath test. Full and empty beer cans were in the car, which did not belong to her. No injuries were found.
Several administrative proceedings were opened: for the crash, for disobeying an official's lawful orders and for speeding. Under the Criminal Law, refusing an alcohol test carries up to one year of imprisonment or short-term imprisonment.
Sewage in the Ludza river
VVD found that a rupture in a main sewer pipe in Feliciānova, Cibla parish, let untreated wastewater flow into the Ludza river. The municipality has shut off the damaged section and is checking a backup pipe; if it is unusable, sewage will be collected by tanker. VVD will take water and wastewater samples.
Illegal fishing checks
VVD and the Home Guard will continue intensified checks throughout November, during the spawning period of salmonids. Compensation for each illegally caught salmon or sea trout can reach 715 euros. In October two poachers were detained and 66 fishing nets removed. Particular attention is on Kurzeme rivers.
Off-road riders in forests
"Rīgas meži" reminds the public that motor vehicles may only use roads and natural tracks in forests, and it reports violations to the responsible authorities.
