CREIGHTON — A big upswing this week in break-and-enter calls, robberies, stolen vehicles, an arson and a fatal fire in Denare Beach Friday night has led Creighton RCMP to ask people to report any suspicious activity.
In the past two weeks, the detachment says it has seen a large uptick in reports of crime throughout Creighton and Denare Beach. Since the start of this month, officers say they've received reports of 15 separate break-and-enters, five motor vehicle thefts, three attempted vehicle thefts, two robberies and an arson fire. Most of those calls have been reported since Oct. 11.
A second fire was reported Oct. 14 at a home on Spruce Street in Denare Beach, where local firefighters found a person inside deceased. The person's death is being investigated by both RCMP and the Saskatchewan Coroner's Service - investigators are unsure as of Oct. 15 whether or not the person's death should be considered suspicious. The fire is also being investigated, this time by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), to determine its cause and whether or not that is suspicious.
RCMP currently believe that some of the incidents may be connected, but have not confirmed which ones may or may not be. No arrests have been made as of Oct. 15 and no suspects have been named by police.
"Creighton RCMP are actively investigating and working to arrest those responsible for these crimes. No charges have been laid at this time," reads an RCMP statement about the increased crime.
Reports of break-ins and vehicle thefts have also been reported in Flin Flon during the same time period, although firm numbers on calls to police relating to those incidents are not available.
On a typical month, Creighton RCMP encounters between 60 and 100 calls for service between Creighton, Denare Beach and Sturgeon Landing, which the detachment also serves. Most offences reported in the detachment area are typically mischief offences, disturbing the peace or alcohol-related calls. In the month of August, no break-and-enter calls and one theft - a theft of a company vehicle from a Creighton-based business - was reported for the entire month. The majority of the detachment's calls each month usually come from the Denare Beach area.
Creighton RCMP Sgt. Kelly Dinsdale asked people in the area to keep their doors and vehicles locked and to report any suspicious people or activity to police.
“We want the public to be informed of the recent increased calls for service in our detachment area,” said Dinsdale in an RCMP statement.
“We are asking members of the public to ensure their residences, outbuildings and vehicles are locked. We are actively investigating these incidents and to assist with our investigation, we are asking the public to please report all suspicious persons or activity to police immediately.”
The Town of Creighton is planning to hold a public meeting on community safety at the Creighton Community Centre Oct. 27.
— Click for more from Crime, Cops and Court.
