Last week, Rimbey RCMP responded to 47 calls for service.
Complaints ranged from a high-speed chase, impaired drivers, theft, break and enter, assault, uttering threats, domestic assault and multiple car prowlings.
At-large Bobcat seized
Early Friday morning, April 1, police followed up on a stolen skid steer complaint and located the heavy equipment on a farm north of Leedale. The skid steer (Bobcat) was seized and the resident of the property was charged with possession of stolen property.
Hooves, Horns and drunks
Police were very busy before, during and after an event in Rimbey at the community centre on Saturday, April 2 — and that’s no bull! During the evening, police attempted to stop a vehicle but the driver made attempts to evade police that led to a high-speed police pursuit. The 21-year-old driver from the Drayton Valley/Breton area was subsequently arrested after he was unable to manoeuvre the stolen truck and went off the road.
The accused, Jordan Jaworski, was believed to be impaired at the time of arrest, driving a stolen 2005 GMC 2500 truck and had 19 outstanding warrants for his arrest for previous offences he is alleged to have committed. Jaworski is well known to the police and remains in custody awaiting court to deal with 11 new Criminal Code charges as well as the previous 19 warrants.
The night continued with one more impaired driver being arrested in town leaving the community centre after consuming too many wobbly pops. This impaired driver was a 38-year-old man from Alberta Beach. Not only was he impaired but he was also found to be in possession of illegal narcotics when he was arrested. The man has been charged and will appear in Rimbey provincial court to deal with the matters. In addition, several people were arrested for causing a disturbance/intoxicated and were transported to jail during the night.
Lock it or lose it
Several unlocked cars were entered during late night hours where the thieves took wallets, tools and other valuables. Police have continually reminded everyone to not store valuables in a vehicle overnight and to always lock your doors.
Oilfield thefts an inside job?
Officers responded to several oilfield lease site thefts. In one case near Bluffton, a compressor, pressure washer and a set of ATV ramps were stolen. In a separate case, 1,000 litres of diesel was stolen from a site near Leedale. Police thoroughly investigated these offences.
When interviewing the employees working the site it was found that some of them are well known to police had been recently convicted of theft and other serious criminal offences in Rimbey court. These matters are still under investigation. Internal theft is a serious matter. When you steal from an employer you are breaching their trust and judges take this very seriously.
Nearly all inside jobs committed by employees lead to a jail term once convicted in court.
Death in town not suspicious
Police investigated a sudden death in Rimbey this week and it was determined to be not suspicious and foul play was ruled out.
Roomies charged with theft
Late Sunday night, April 3, police and EMS responded to a 9-1-1 call at a farm north of Leedale. Police are very familiar with this residence. At the residence police found one of the residents to be on court orders to not consume alcohol and had been drinking. The 26-year-old man had recently moved to Rimbey to reside with his friend in the last year.
Due to the recent incidents involving police at this household, police charged the man with breaching his court order and requested the court impose a condition that he is not to reside anywhere near Rimbey any longer, which the court accepted and imposed. Coincidentally, police were following up on another theft investigation later in the week that had occurred last week and found this individual and his roommate were responsible for that theft as well. More charges are pending on the banished man and his roommate.
Drunks try to make getaway
On Tuesday, April 5, in the very early morning hours, an officer was diligently patrolling the streets in Rimbey and observed two vehicles travelling together at a high rate of speed departing town. The vehicles were stopped near Centerview Road and the officer found both drivers to be have been drinking. Both were arrested and were subsequently charged with impaired driving. The accused drivers, a 48-year-old man and a 36-yearold woman, are from Saskatchewan and will be appear in Rimbey court on May 6.
If it’s too good to be true…
Fraud complaints continue to come in. Many are related to a person selling merchandise on the Internet and being contacted by people from overseas wishing to purchase their item and shortly after the seller receives a check in an amount far greater than the negotiated purchase price. The buyer than requests the seller send him the difference back — then the seller is out the money because the buyer’s check always bounces. This is a very common fraud and can be seen on the list of scams found on www.phonebusters.com We have commented on this fraud numerous times in the police report. However, many innocent citizens are still falling prey to these fraudsters.
Farmer charged for stray cattle
Police responded to more incidents involving family or domestic disputes. In other cases, there were landlord tenant issues. Police also charged a local farmer on the Wilson Creek Road for having his cattle at large, contrary to the Stray Animals Act, due to repeated offences relating to this matter.
Sign of spring
Lastly, one member was patrolling in the early morning hours near Gimlet and spotted a robin. The little fellow was a wonderful sighting considering the harsh winter we have endured. Hopefully, we have put the worst behind us and we can soon take the studded winter tires off once and for all.
If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please call the Rimbey RCMP at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, #8477 on Telus Mobility or *8477 on Rogers AT&T.
Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work. Do your part and call now.