Internet fraud traces puppy trail of money between Erskine, Africa

Below is a summary of most calls for Stettler RCMP service during a one-week period that ran from Monday, Jan. 23, to Monday, Jan. 30.

Calls that have an SUI designation attached are still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding unsolved crimes or other incidents is asked to contact Stettler RCMP at 403-742-3382 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Monday, Jan. 23

1:48 a.m. — Complaint of Internet fraud relating to the purchase of puppies from Cameroon, Africa. An Erskine resident reported that $1,400 was sent via Western Union to a supplier in Africa and his shipment was not received. A further request from the seller indicated that the puppies were stranded at the Amsterdam airport in the Netherlands and more money was required for shipping. The complainant was instructed to stop sending money, stop communicating with the fraud artists, because there were no puppies sent or stranded at an airport. The complainant was given the email address for phonebusters.com or antifraudcentre.ca.

2:40 a.m. — Investigators attended a 62nd Street apartment after receiving a complaint of excessively loud music. The occupants were instructed to turn down the volume and they complied.

2:13 p.m. — Report of five round bales in the middle of Highway 12, five miles east of Botha. An investigator attended to find the eastbound lane blocked. Good Samaritans stopped to assist with the movement of the bales and Ledcor highway maintenance was contacted. The owner of the bales was unknown.

2:30 p.m. — An investigator observed a vehicle parked on 60th Street with an expired licence plate. The vehicle was towed and the registered owner was issued a violation ticket for parking an unregistered vehicle on a highway.

2:34 p.m. — An investigator observed a blue-coloured Ford Escort parked on the wrong side of the road on 55th Avenue. Upon conducting a licence-plate query, the plate didn’t match the vehicle. The owner was located and it was determined that the automobile wasn’t registered or insured. The car was towed and the owner was issued two violation tickets for parking an unregistered vehicle on a highway and having no insurance.

2:50 p.m. — Report of a two-vehicle collision on 42nd Street. The driver of a pickup truck backed out of a repair shop and struck a parked car. Total damage to both vehicles was more than $3,000.

3:15 p.m. — An investigator observed a red-coloured Mercury parked on 50A Avenue with an expired licence plate. The owner was contacted and issued a violation ticket. He was instructed to park his vehicle in his backyard to avoid the towing charges.

4:02 p.m. — Residential false alarm at a 41st Avenue home.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

12:53 a.m. — An investigator observed a dark-coloured 1986 GMC pickup parked on 48th Street, bearing a licence plate that didn’t match the vehicle. The same vehicle was reported for being operated carelessly on Jan. 14. The truck was towed and the identified owner has been charged with several charges, which include parking an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on a highway.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

9:19 a.m. — A residential false alarm on Township Road 39-2.

11:02 a.m. — Complaint of a youth of about 15 years old walking two kilometers south of Stettler on Highway 56 in light clothing. An investigator conducted a patrol and couldn’t locate the youth.

12:24 p.m. — Report of a single-vehicle collision with a deer on Township Road 40-4.

6:54 p.m. — Complaint of a dead Coyote being left in a garbage dumpster on 40th Avenue.

7:36 p.m. — Complaint of an abandoned pickup truck outside of Stettler on the overpass, in the northbound lane on Highway 12. An investigator attended to discover that the truck was in a collision with the guardrail. The Stettler owner was contacted and reported that he lost control of the vehicle. He was issued a violation ticket for driving at an unreasonable speed.

8:19 p.m. — Complaint of stolen car keys and medication from a 50th Avenue hotel room. The caller didn’t wish to provide a statement. Therefore, there was no further police involvement.

10:01 p.m. — Commercial false alarm on 50th Street.

Thursday, Jan. 26

2:04 a.m. — Report of four people wandering around the auto dealership on 50th Avenue and they appear to be intoxicated. An investigator attended the area and identified the people who were walking home from the bar. No charges and no further complaints.

7:55 a.m. — A 911 call reported a white-coloured Pontiac Grand Am was in the ditch on Highway 835. Stettler Regional Fire Department and EMS also attended to find the vehicle had left the road as a result of hitting an icy patch. The 37-year-old driver from Rochon Sands suffered no injuries and his vehicle sustained less than $2,000 damage.

4:20 p.m. — Report of a single-vehicle collision with a stop sign at Carlisle Estates. SUI

Friday, Jan. 27

11:50 a.m. — Report of a lost wallet outside the Dairy Queen. The owner described the item as a black “Split Leather” fold-over style with a magnet.

2:02 p.m. — Investigators responded to a report regarding a 22-year-old male who might be having mental health issues. The subject of the complaint was escorted to the Stettler hospital for an assessment and he was found to be normal.

Saturday, Jan. 28

3:24 a.m. — Complaint of a male breaking into a garage at a 1st Avenue South residence in Big Valley. The building, which is always locked, had the side door kicked in and two male voices could be heard arguing. The suspects departed the garage and there was nothing stolen. SUI

3:28 a.m. — Complaint of an intoxicated male standing on the back deck of a 1st Avenue South residence in Big Valley. The unknown male was wearing a hat and coat and was looking for a glass. He departed the residence when the homeowner confronted him. The suspect wasn’t located by investigators. SUI

9:29 a.m. — Residential false alarm on 41st Avenue.

8:43 p.m. — During a patrol, a male was observed to be hunched over in front of Social B o ’s bar and was throwing up while two other males were holding him. Witnesses advised that the sick male was dancing, hit his head and went unconscious for a short time. EMS was called to the scene and a 22-year-old male from Endiang was taken to hospital for examination. Alcohol was a factor.

9:29 p.m. — Call received from a 58th Street residence requesting police assistance. Investigators responded to find a 37-year-old female having medical issues. She refused to go to the hospital. Family members were contacted to attend the residence.

Sunday, Jan. 29

11:12 a.m.— Report of mischief to an automobile on 65th Street. An investigator attended to find the driver ’s side window was smashed out on a 2002 Kia Magentis. The damage was caused within the past three weeks. There was nothing stolen.

6:02 p.m. — Report of a 2007 GMC pickup involved in a collision with two deer on Highway 56 North. The truck was severely damaged as the air bags were deployed during the collision. There were no injuries to the occupants.

Monday, Jan. 30

12:35 a.m. — Report of ongoing mischief at a Spruce Drive residence. The complainant reported that youths were knocking at the door and then ran off. A patrol conducted in the area didn’t locate the suspects.

1:19 a.m. — Report of a break and enter at a 40th Avenue dwelling unit. Police responded and found no forced entry to the residence and no other evidence to support the complaint.

8:13 a.m. — Report of the theft of a 2002 GMC pickup from a 2nd Avenue South residence in Big Valley. The truck was lent to a roommate last evening and the vehicle wasn’t returned. An investigator contacted the 30-year-old male roommate and he reported that he fell asleep in Stettler last night and forgot to return the truck. No charges were laid.

8:54 a.m. — Report of graffiti spray-painted on the outside walls of the Stettler Community Centre and a symbol was painted on a shop northeast of the centre.

Investigators have identified possible suspects and are asking for more information from the public. Stettler Public Works members were assigned to remove the paint from the buildings.

Noon — Investigators received a request to locate a 37-year-old female from Coronation, after she departed her vehicle at the intersection of 54th Street and 49th Avenue. Her husband was able to make contact on her cellphone.