Crown counsel has approved three charges against the woman accused of laying traps on Mount Fromme trails in an alleged attempt to injure mountain bikers.
Tineke “Tina” Kraal, 64, has been formally charged with setting or placing a trap with intent to injure, mischief by obstructing use of property, and mischief endangering life.
Someone had repeatedly laid branches across steep sections of the Lower Skull Trail, which is primarily used by mountain bikers, and Quarry Trail, which is for hiking only. After getting fed up with the debris being deliberately put across the trail, two members of the mountain bike community installed hidden cameras on the trees and captured footage of the suspect, who acted under cover of darkness. The mountain bikers turned the footage over to the RCMP.
North Vancouver RCMP arrested Kraal and recommended charges on Jan. 4 as she emerged from the trailhead, allegedly after setting more traps. At time of arrest, police were not aware of any specific injuries resulting from the trail vandalism.
In the meantime, the longtime Upper Lynn Valley resident has been banned from going on any hiking or biking trails.
Kraal, or her lawyer, is due in court on Feb. 4 to answer to the charges.
