The Estevan Police Service (EPS) received a few reports of scams related to the July 10 storm that dropped more than 125 millimetres of rain on the Energy City.
EPS Insp. Murray Cowan said the bulk of the reports came in the first couple days after the storm.
“We got the word out quick enough … so we only had a couple of complaints coming in,” said Cowan. “Things have dialled down since it happened.”
Cowan reported that somebody was going from door to door and speaking to people. The scammer wanted money upfront to do assessments on flood-damaged properties.
The EPS was encouraging people with flooded basements and other flood-related damage to go through their insurance provider and the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program.
“Usually when you have people … in the community, walking around and knocking on doors, it doesn’t take them long to want to get out of the area,” said Cowan. “It’s not like with a typical phone scam where they can just keep phoning from an unknown location, and can continue to harass and bother people.”
Cowan doesn’t know of anyone who was victimized by the scam.
In other recent news for the EPS, officers received a report of an assault that occurred during the July 10 storm. The matter is being investigated.
Members received a request from the Regina Police Service during the July 11 day shift to assist them with a collision in that city. The matter is under investigation.
Police responded to two domestic incidents that day. At one residence, the persons involved were separated. At the second residence, all parties were able to mediate a resolution and remain at the residence.
Officers received a report of an assault during the July 11 night shift. The matter is under investigation.
Members also charged a male from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, after a call to the police station regarding a possible impaired driver. When located, he was not impaired, but was operating his vehicle without a valid licence. He will appear in court in September in answer to the charge.
Police received a report of stolen vehicle parts from a parking lot in the city’s central area during the July 12 day shift. The matter is still under investigation.
Members received a report of someone littering. Through investigation, police learned that an individual was using a local business' dumpster to dispose of his property. The individual was warned that it is illegal to put his garbage in a private dumpster, as it is considered a theft of service.
Police arrested and charged a 26-year-old man from Debden for driving while impaired and driving while over .08 during the July 12 night shift, after a traffic stop outside a local lounge. He will appear in court in September to answer to the charges.
Members arrested a 36-year-old man from Christopher Lake for public intoxication. He was lodged in cells until sober.
Officers responded to a complaint of a suspicious person in the downtown area. Nobody was located in the area.
Police were called to a collision at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Fourth Street during the early morning hours of July 13. Both vehicles were severely damaged and were towed. Vehicle occupants sustained minor injuries. The driver of a vehicle turning left was charged for failing to yield to an oncoming vehicle.
Officers were dispatched to a local school where a break and enter occurred. There was spray paint found on the walls. The matter is still under investigation.
Police attended to a residence to keep the peace during the July 13 night shift. Involved parties were dividing property.
Members completed a number of curfew and condition checks on individuals. A 19-year-old male was found to be breaching his conditions. An arrest warrant will be sought.
Police were dispatched to a concern regarding gas emissions from a SaskEnergy station during the July 14 day shift. Estevan Fire Rescue Service members attended and met with SaskEnergy to determine the source and ensure public safety.
Officers received a report of a suspicious person on a CP Rail line during the July 14 night shift. Police attended and identified the individual as being a staff person preparing the rail cars for transport.
Members received a call through the Report Import Drivers line. The vehicle was located and the driver was determined to not be impaired. The motorist was warned to pay better attention to driving.
Police located a parked vehicle that was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Members located the offending vehicle and driver. An Estevan man was arrested and subsequently charged with impaired driving, driving while over .08, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. He supplied samples of breath that were almost three times the legal limit.
Officers received a complaint from city workers that a person drove around some barricades and sped past workers during the July 15 day shift. The matter is under investigation and charges are pending. Police remind the public that the barricades are set up for a reason, and if motorists disobey them, there can be fines under the Traffic Safety Act.
Police were dispatched to two oil spills in separate areas of the city during the July 15 night shift. Estevan Fire Rescue was required to assist with taking care of the spills.
Several noise complaints were attended to in south central Estevan. The residents were warned of the bylaw.
Police laid charges regarding a fraud. A local female was charged after a lengthy investigation. She will answer to the charges of fraud and possession of property obtained by crime on September 12.
Police located stolen property in a vehicle that was found in the central part of the city during the July 16 day shift. The owner, a male youth, was advised that the property would be seized and he would be charged with possession of stolen property. He will answer to the charge on Sept. 12.
Members also dealt with several people having open alcohol in public, which carries a $250 fine.
Police have responded to a number of calls for suspicious individuals and vehicles in recent days, which proved to be people playing the new Pokémon Go game. The EPS would like to remind the public to be cautious while playing the game, to watch for vehicles and hazards, and to make sure they are not trespassing on private property.
