This week the Rimbey RCMP dealt with 45 calls for service. Motor vehicle collisions and crimes against persons complaints such as assault and uttering threats made up the majority of the calls for service.
Deer, store hit by car
Fortunately, there were no major injury collisions this week; however, there were many fender benders. In many cases, deer were the culprits. In one stretch of Highway 20 there were three deer hit within one mile. Moose also became road pizza on Highway 22. In one other case, a shopper may have thought a local business should have a drivethru service and entered the store through the front door with his front bumper instead of walking in the door like everyone else. He was charged accordingly.
Cellphone threats
In the new age of cellphones and text messages, there are many incidents being reported where a disgruntled ex-boyfriend or girlfriend sends a text message indicating how they are going to dismember a part of their ex’s anatomy. This of course, is a threat to cause a person great pain and suffering and ends up being a police matter. This was the case of many reports of threats or harassment.
Equipment targeted by thieves
There have also been several cases where oilfield and heavy-duty pieces of farm equipment have been targets for thieves stealing diesel fuel. This occurred in the Leedale and Gimlet areas where several backhoes and D8s fell victim of having their fuel tanks siphoned dry.
Suspect sought in sex assault
Police are actively pursuing an adult male suspected of committing a sexual assault in another jurisdiction years ago. Officers anticipate having the suspect in custody shortly.
Dangerous speeder
Surprisingly, members of the Rimbey RCMP have written more tickets lately than in the summer. One speeder was clocked on the radar gun at 206 km/h on a snow and ice covered stretch of Highway 20. These offences are very hazardous and put other people’s lives in danger so police have really stepped up locally conducting more highway patrols.
Info needed on year-old case
In addition to dealing with the recent complaints that come in daily, officers continue to work on active case files. It is coming up to one year ago that a culprit drove into a farmyard near Iola Road during the late evening hours of Jan. 1. The culprit(s) then fired several shots from a firearm into a parked truck causing considerable damage to the vehicle.
The culprit then headed west on Iola Road and fired a shot with a high-powered rifle through a house, fortunately missing the occupants of the residence. The suspect vehicle then continued to drive quickly through the area shooting many deer, leaving them to die in the fields. In total, four deer were found dead and left to rot. It is not known how many more deer may have been shot and not recovered. At the time, police quickly responded to the scene of these complaints but the culprits had already fled the area. Being a vast area with many roads and leases to escape on, police were unable to locate the person responsible for the crimes at the time of the incidents.
The investigation to date has not led to any charges being laid in either of these cases. Police are seeking the public’s assistance in solving these serious matters.
If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please call the Rimbey RCMP detachment at 403-843-2224 or Crime Stoppers: 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.