It was another busy week in the lives of Estevan Police Service members as the warmer weather conditions have led to more activities, both legal and illegal.
On the afternoon of May 6, EPS members arrested a 23-year-old man, charging him with obstructing a peace officer and breaching the conditions of his recognizance after police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle he was operating. The man had been suspended from driving, so that charge was added to the list and the vehicle was seized and impounded for a minimum of 30 days. He now has a June 2 court date.
On the night of May 6, police responded to a complaint regarding a group of men shining green laser lights at passing drivers. Police spoke to some men outside a local lounge who they suspected had been responsible for the action but were unable to discover any lasers and the men denied having any involvement in that kind of activity.
Two men, reported to be fighting in the middle of a street in the central part of the city, attracted police attention that same night. The two explained that they were really friends and were merely horsing around. They were warned, however, about their actions, which was creating a disturbance and were asked to leave the area.
A patron at a local lounge set off a false fire alarm on the night of May 6. That matter is still being investigated.
A vehicle that was left abandoned at an intersection in the Trojan area of the city was the subject of police interest on the night of May 8. But when police arrived at the scene they observed that the vehicle had been moved, so no further policing action was deemed necessary.
Police next spoke to an intoxicated male who was walking in the central part of the city. The police learned the subject was on his way home and was going to be safe, so no further action was necessary.
A call regarding an injured man at 12th Avenue and Fourth Street prompted police action on the night of May 8. Police saw that the man's hand had been injured and was bleeding profusely so EMS personnel were called and treated the man at the scene. Due to the man's level of intoxication police were unable to discern the cause of the injury, so he was later released into the care of a family member, but police will continue their investigation into the incident.
The weekend activities were many and varied, beginning with EPS members stopping a vehicle due to the driver's erratic actions. The driver showed signs of impairment and failed a roadside screen test and follow-up tests indicated a level of intoxication well above the acceptable limits. After further questioning EPS members learned the man's driver's licence had been suspended due to unpaid fines and that the vehicle he was driving was not registered. He was charged accordingly.
Police also responded to a call regarding an assault at a local lounge. They were unable to proceed with any further action since the victim refused to provide a statement or proceed with charges against the perpetrator.
Police were called to a local convenience store during a night shift and arrested a man who had been causing a disturbance in the store. The activity included throwing some potato chip bags around along with several other items. The man was arrested for being intoxicated in public and a number of people who had been milling around the scene eventually dispersed when the troublemaker was removed to spend the rest of the night in cells.
Police also handled a couple of calls, one dealing with a possible missing woman and another about a possible online threat incident on a social media network. That matter is being investigated and the missing woman was located shortly after the call was made.
Another night shift revealed the arrest of an 18-year-old woman who was charged with the theft of a Playstation during her departure from a residence where she was boarding. She now has a June 2 court date.
A traffic stop resulted in a 23-year-old man being charged with impaired driving and driving while his blood-alcohol level was over .08 per cent. He will appear in court on June 2.
During that same shift, police stopped a 33-year-old driver on the north side of the city and charged him with driving while suspended. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Another 28-year-old was charged with driving while impaired and while over .08 on that same police shift.
Another 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with being in possession of marijuana and will make his court appearance on June 2.
A report of an assault that occurred in the north central area of the city was placed under investigation after police attended the scene of the event and learned that the suspect had fled. No injuries had been sustained as a result of the attack.
A complaint of criminal harassment that occurred at the high school after school hours on May 9 were being looked into by EPS members.
Police are also investigating a possible fraud incident that occurred on the weekend. The complainant had purchased a tablet device from a Facebook garage sale site and discovered that it didn't work once she brought it home. She attempted to resolve the issue on her own but the seller was avoiding her.
On May 11, EPS members conducted a traffic stop after observing a seatbelt violation. The resulting check also unveiled 40 grams of marijuana and the fact that the driver was driving while suspended. He was charged with two traffic offences as well as for being in possession of a controlled substance.
Police were then called to a hotel to assist with the removal of an intoxicated guest. After they arrived and mediated the situation the guest agreed to stay in his room after being threatened with an arrest if he did not comply.
Police also intervened in another matter involving a couple of parents in a custody dispute over visitation rights. The matter was resolved without any charges being laid.
Police were also called to a south central area of the city on the weekend in response to a concern regarding suspicious activity. When they searched the area, EPS members located a quantity of crack cocaine that had been stashed away in a grassy area of the property. The drugs were seized and police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
EPS members also noted their members were required to issue a number of seatbelt and speeding violation tickets during the weekend.
