ESTEVAN — An attempted traffic stop in Estevan led to a man trying to evade arrest twice, and eventually being charged with multiple offences.
According to the Feb. 16 report from the Estevan Police Service (EPS), during night shift, members attempted to conduct a traffic stop with a vehicle, but it fled from police at a high rate of speed. The EPS said a pursuit was not initiated, but officers later observed the same vehicle elsewhere and it again fled from officers.
A short distance later, the vehicle was located unattended and parked over a curb, with a male suspect observed to be fleeing on foot into a nearby yard. Police deployed the K9 unit and drone in an effort to locate and arrest the subject.
The EPS says a bystander informed patrol members that the suspect had fled into a garage, where he was subsequently arrested without incident. He has been charged with flight from police, refusing to comply with a breath demand, and mischief for causing damage to a fence in the yard where he was found.
He made a first appearance by telephone in Weyburn Provincial Court on Feb. 17 to speak to the charges.
EPS members attended to a residence Feb. 16 in central Estevan regarding an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. Resources and assistance were offered to the individual, but they were declined as the EPS said the person was feeling better after speaking with officers. EPS contact information was left with the person to assist in any future incidents.
A report of a man uttering threats against a woman was received during night shift. The matter remains under investigation.
EPS members conducted a traffic stop Feb. 15 to confirm the sobriety of the driver. The EPS reported illegal cigarettes were observed in plain view in the vehicle, which resulted in the occupants being detained and the vehicle being searched. The EPS said additional illegal cigarettes and a small amount of methamphetamine were located during a search. No charges have been immediately laid, but according to the EPS, the driver was subject to a standardized field sobriety test, which the EPS said he performed poorly on, resulting in his driver’s licence being suspended. No further information was immediately released.
EPS PACT members mediated a family dispute between youths and their parents.
A Report Impaired Drivers line call was received regarding a vehicle being operated in the Trojan area. The vehicle was reported to have impacted a curb in that area. Patrol members were unable to immediately locate the vehicle but the EPS said the registered owner has been identified and the investigation is ongoing.
A well-being check was requested on an individual that was determined to reside outside Estevan. Contact by telephone was made with the person and a request for the RCMP to attend their location was forwarded. While on the phone with police, the person indicated being safe and well.
Harassment through multiple text messages was reported and is being investigated.
A noise complaint was received regarding a loud vehicle in a business parking lot in the northeast area. The driver was spoken to by police and warned under the noise bylaw for revving their engine and creating excessive noise.
EPS members attended to a panic alarm Feb. 14 at a residence in the Trojan area. The alarm was determined to have been activated accidentally.
Police received a report of a woman removing a child from a vehicle and driving away. The EPS said an investigation determined that the child had been throwing items in the vehicle, distracting the driver, and that the parent had removed the child and directed the youth to walk home approximately one block as punishment. The parent visually monitored the child as they walked home, and based on the circumstances, no concerns for the child’s well-being or safety were identified.
A report of an erratic driver on King Street was received. The vehicle was not immediately located by patrol members, but a licence plate was provided by the complainant and the investigation to determine the identity of the driver is ongoing.
The EPS received a report of criminal harassment. The matter remains under investigation.
A $700 fine was issued to a semi-trailer operator, as the EPS said the person failed to slow down when passing an emergency vehicle while the emergency lights were activated.
EPS members conducted several walkthroughs at a Valentine’s Day cabaret. The EPS said the event was well attended and no significant issues were reported or observed.
Police mediated a domestic disturbance Feb. 13 at an apartment complex in the Hillside area. One party was provided with personal belongings from the residence and cautioned against returning. No further police involvement was required during the remainder of the shift.
A theft investigation at a grocery store resulted in a woman being located and arrested. The EPS said she was processed and released with a future court date to speak to the charge.
Members attended the residence of a local man who had requested police assistance. The individual was found to be grossly intoxicated and while speaking with police, the EPS said he made threats to harm another individual. He was subsequently arrested and lodged in cells to be released once sober.
Two separate reports were received of attempted scams perpetrated through emails indicating that the intended victims owed money on outstanding tickets. The EPS said both reports were investigated and determined to be fraudulent. No personal information or money was lost in either occurrence, and the matters have been referred to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
A theft of fuel was reported at a gas station in northwest Estevan. A vehicle description was obtained and the matter remains under investigation.
Police responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Kensington Avenue and King Street. No injuries were reported but airbags deployed and both vehicles were towed from the scene. The EPS said a ticket was issued under the Traffic Safety Act to the at-fault driver for failing to yield the right of way when entering a roadway.
Multiple mandatory alcohol screening tests were conducted with drivers. All were found to be sober.
A domestic disturbance was investigated early during the Feb. 12 day shift, which resulted in a man being arrested for assaulting his spouse. He was lodged in cells and the EPS said he will be processed and released on conditions with a future court date to speak to the charge.
A break and enter to a residence in south Estevan was reported to the EPS. The investigation did not locate any evidence of forced entry or missing property, the EPS said, and it is believed that the residence may not have been secured properly by the homeowner. The EPS said dogs might have pushed the door open when they exited the home, and the animals did not immediately return to the residence.
EPS members were called to the Pleasantdale area of the city following a report of a distraught man on foot in the area. Police located the individual, calmed him down and eturned him to his residence.
The EPS was asked to make extra patrols in the Hillside area due to concerns that an unwanted guest would return to a residence. Frontline members prioritized their presence in the area during the night shift and no further issues were reported by the complainant.
Police received a request for assistance from employees at a local business about screaming in the building while they were closing up for the night. Members attended and determined that the noise was attributed to the cleaning staff singing while they worked and no unauthorized persons were in the building.
A report of three suspicious individuals trespassing near a residence was received during the night shift. The homeowner shouted at them and they ran away before police were contacted. The individuals were located and identified as several youth who had lost their ball under the complainant’s car, and had been attempting to retrieve it without notifying the owner. They were cautioned regarding going onto someone else’s property without seeking permission first.
