On Monday, two separate complaints of an impaired driver in the Whitehorse area led to one man's arrest.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., the RCMP received a call from a concerned citizen who advised that an extremely intoxicated male was observed getting into a white Chevrolet Astro van and driving away in the downtown area, the RCMP reported Thursday. Extensive patrols were made by police, who were unable to locate the vehicle.

Approximately four hours later, at 5:36 p.m., police responded to a second complaint from security personnel at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport of an impaired driver in a similar vehicle.

The caller told police a heavily intoxicated male had been refused boarding onto a departing aircraft. The suspect then attempted to drive out of the airport parking lot.

Witnesses stated that due to his level of intoxication, the driver wasn't able to operate the security toll gate, and was trapped in the parking lot.

When they arrived, police saw the driver had attempted to outsmart the toll gate by following another motorist through without paying. Subsequently, the vehicle collided with the toll arm, damaging it.

"No one was hurt thanks to the quick action taken by airport security to refuse entry by the accused to the aircraft and in reporting this incident to the RCMP,” Const. Andrew West of the traffic services team said in a press release.

"We are also grateful to the public who called earlier in the day.”

Randi Carl Farnsworth, a 58-year-old resident of Courtenay, B.C., was arrested for suspected impaired driving, according to the release.

Farnsworth appeared in territorial court Tuesday. He was released on conditions, and his next court appearance is scheduled for March 23.

Farnsworth is facing three Criminal Code charges: the impaired operation of a motor vehicle, failing/refusing to provide a breath sample, and mischief under $5,000.

The public is encouraged to immediately report suspected impaired drivers to police by calling their local detachment or 911 in Whitehorse.