Local law enforcement officials were able to pull off a drug-related arrest, thanks in part to some good timing.
An Estevan RCMP officer was cleaning his police vehicle on Feb. 19 at a local car wash, when another vehicle pulled up at a neighbouring business. The occupant of that vehicle smelled of marijuana.
The RCMP officer contacted the Estevan Police Service (EPS), spoke to the driver and the individual was arrested. A search of the vehicle yielded a small amount of marijuana.
Kevin Dexter, a 27-year-old man from Manor, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance.
In other recent police news, members were called to a situation during the Feb. 15 day shift, in which two young children were in need of temporary care. Their mother had been taken to hospital and was not able to consent or speak to staff about the placement for her children. Social services aided in finding a guardian for the children.
A complaint was received regarding quads that were within city limits. Members searched the area but were not able to locate them.
Members responded to a report of a young boy walking down Kensington Avenue just prior to 1 a.m. on Feb. 16. Police located the 12-year-old boy. He left without parental permission, and was transported home.
Police were on patrol and came upon a collision at the King Street and Kensington Avenue intersection during the Feb. 16 day shift. Five vehicles were involved and the officer assisted drivers in exchanging information for SGI purposes. Nobody was injured and none of the vehicles needed to be towed. Icy roads were a factor.
Members also participated in a hit-and-run clinic with SGI. One of the drivers did not show up and two other claims were found to be false. The clinics are set up to identify false claims to SGI.
Police received a report of a motorist driving dangerously during the Feb. 16 night shift. The matter remains under investigation and charges are pending.
Officers also received a report of a male eating at a local business and leaving prior to paying. Officers were called to investigate and identified the individual. He was later arrested in the Pleasantdale Area and charged. He was released to appear in court in March.
Police were later called to a Hillside residence to remove an unwanted guest. He was caught sleeping in his vehicle on the resident’s driveway and sent on his way.
While dealing with that complaint, police could hear an individual yelling near Centennial Park. Members located the male and warned him for his actions.
Police responded to several calls about unwanted persons at residences during the Feb. 17 day shift. Members attended and the suspects were gone on arrival.
Members also took several reports of hit-and-run accidents throughout the city.
Police received several complaints of thefts of different items that were in people’s yards. Police are asking the public for their assistance in these matters and if anyone sees a suspicious person around their residence, to call police as soon as possible.
Police conducted a traffic stop near a local drinking establishment during the Feb. 17 night shift. A 22-year-old male driver was taken to the police station to provide breath samples. He was subsequently charged for impaired driving and driving while his blood alcohol level exceeded 80 milligrams. He will answer to the charges on April 11.
Police received a complaint during the Feb. 18 day shift regarding some random and unsavoury texts. After looking into the complaint, it was learned that the number originated from the U.S. Police remind the public that if they receive anonymous texts or ones from unknown individuals, that they should not reply to them. If the matter continues they can report it to their cellular phone providers or inform police.
Police issued several traffic tickets during the Feb. 18 night shift. One motorist was issued a ticket for driving 35 kilometres per hour (km/h) over the speed limit. The fine was $376. Another ticket was issued to a 43-year-old male who was observed walking along a main street with an open can of beer. The fine is $250.
Officers assisted at a traffic incident during the Feb. 19 day shift, in which a shopping cart caused some damage to a vehicle. The involved parties were directed to attend SGI.
Police were alerted to a possible drunk driver parked in the parking lot of a business during the Feb. 19 night shift. Members attended and found a 32-year-old Regina man sleeping behind the wheel of a running company truck. When he was awakened he was obviously impaired and subsequently arrested for being impaired and in care and control of a vehicle. He was lodged in cells until sober. He will appear in Estevan Court in April to answer to the charges.
Police were then called about an erratic driver entering Estevan, A search of the area did not turn up any vehicles.
Police then were called to a report of a fight involving numerous individuals at a local drinking establishment. Upon police arrival the main fight had broken up and a secondary skirmish started. Police were unable to verbally diffuse the situation so pepper spray was deployed. A 20-year-old Estevan male was arrested for public intoxication and causing a disturbance by fighting. He was transported back to the police station and lodged in cells. The matter remains under investigation.
Members are investigating a possible mischief involving a local business.
Numerous vehicle checks were made for driver sobriety during the Feb. 20 night shift. All were found to have sober drivers.
Officers assisted with a landlord-tenant situation during the Feb. 21 day shift. The landlord was directed to the rentals office and the local sheriff for further assistance.
Police received a report of marijuana odor in an apartment building during the Feb. 22 day shift. Members attended and weren’t able to detect anything.
Members assisted the Estevan Fire and Rescue Service with a commercial fire alarm and a separate commercial carbon monoxide alarm.
Police received a number of driving complaints, one of which was a semi unit on the city’s truck route. The second driving complaint was about a vehicle between Macoun and Hitchcock heading to Estevan. Members could not locate that vehicle.
Members received a report of an accident involving a skateboarder and a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle reported the accident. The skateboarder was riding down a hill and struck the moving car. The skateboarder said he was okay and left the scene. The matter is under investigation.
