Erratic drivers causing traffic accidents were just a few of the challenges facing members of the Estevan Police Service during the past week, beginning with a June 30 event in which a westbound vehicle on 12th Avenue and Fourth Street attempted an illegal turn in the centre of the street, cutting in front of another vehicle travelling in the same direction. Damages to both vehicles were extensive and the female victim of the event was taken to hospital where she was treated for minor injuries before being released. The operator of the other vehicle has been charged under the Traffic Safety Act.
On the night of June 30, police were kept busy responding to several noisy party complaints that led to warnings and the shutting down of a number of activities.
The next day, EPS members received a report of a suspected impaired driver on Fifth Street. Police noted the aggressive driving tactics and also noted the operator was sober, so he was warned about his poor driving actions.
Later that same day, police established an investigation into the theft of a quad all terrain vehicle that was taken from a trailer parked in the yard of a business on the east side of the city. The trailer had been broken into with the thieves driving the quad out of the area. Other items such as fuel and helmets were also removed.
A call regarding a suspected impaired driver on the night of July 1, led police to a 41-year-old B.C. male who was held in cells overnight after he refused to provide a breathalyzer sample. The man now has an August court date.
A hit and run incident on Fifth Street on July 2, led to a clear description of the offending driver's vehicle by a witness. The description led police to the driver of the vehicle that was involved in the incident, and he has been charged with failing to report an accident, and his vehicle was subjected to a complete inspection.
A vehicle rollover incident was also on the EPS investigation list on July 2. They learned that a road packer was forced to take evasive action when it was cut off by another vehicle. The driver of the packer had to hit the curb in his attempts to avoid a collision, and as a result, the unit rolled onto its side. Police have received a description of the offending vehicle and female operator that will aid them in their investigation.
On July 3, police found themselves responding to a couple of false alarms, one being a misplaced 911 call coming from an elderly patient in the hospital and the other from a living room motion alarm set off by cleaning staff who had entered an incorrect disarming code. The next day, EPS members noted the fact they were required to attend to two more false residential alarms along with a suspected assault that occurred in the parking lot of a local retail store.
Although Halloween is still several months away, EPS members ended up investigating reports of several egging of vehicles within the city limits on July 4.
A motor vehicle collision at the corner of Highway 39 and Sister Roddy Road on July 4 involved a car and motorcycle that met at the intersection. The motorcycle operator suffered minor injuries and did not require additional emergency medical attention while the operator of the car walked away with no injuries but visibly shaken by the incident. Both vehicles had to be towed from the accident scene. The driver of the car was charged with proceeding from a stop sign before it was safe to do so.
On July 6, police members were flagged down by a group of people in a parking lot who pointed out some damage that had been inflicted on the door of a vehicle by someone kicking it. Police were able to identify a subject and arrested a 36-year-old male for mischief and being intoxicated in public. He has a July 14 court date.
Police were called to the exhibition grounds later that day in response to a call regarding more erratic drivers. In this instance the drivers of two trucks were doing power turns on the grounds, which meant they were tearing up the grass and creating other damages. The two drivers were charged accordingly.
EPS members were again required to respond to a series of security alarm calls on July 6, with all of them being false, except for a couple where doors were found to be insecure.
EPS members were also asked to check on a possible missing husband and two-year-old boy who had not been seen by his wife since the previous evening. After taking statements and speaking with a number of people, the pair were finally located in Edmonton around 4:30 the following afternoon. Edmonton police, in co-operation with the Estevan police, confirmed the well-being of the pair so the woman placing the call of concern was provided with this updated information and no further policing action was required.
While police were patrolling the parking lot at the WalMart store on the afternoon of July 6, they came across a man who had walked out of the store with a television set he had not paid for. Police were able to reclaim the TV and took it back to the store and gathered further evidence inside. EPS members said the accused was known to them and was simply recognized on the scene. The investigation continues.
On July 7, EPS members once again responded to an alarm on the northwest side of the city, and again, it was discovered to be a false call.
EPS members reported that a local conservation officer initiated an arrest of a man for fishing without a licence and a subsequent check of his identification papers revealed he was wanted on three warrants issued by EPS, so he was arrested and taken to the police station where he was held in custody pending a court appearance the next morning.
A man who was wanted by police for uttering threats, paid a visit to the police station on July 7 to be interviewed by police. Following his discussion with police, he was arrested for uttering threats and for being in breach of court-ordered conditions and was held in custody until he made a court appearance the next morning.
