Reports of stolen vehicles attracted the attention of Estevan Police Service (EPS) members this past week.
In recent police reports filed from Nov. 19 through to Nov. 21, police reported two vehicles were taken and later recovered but not without consequences, while another was damaged as a result of a wrong-way drive resulting in an accident.
Early in the evening of Nov. 19, EPS members were called to the bus depot in response to a report of a stolen vehicle.
Upon arrival, police learned that the bus service delivery vehicle had been taken. It had been left running and unlocked in front of the depot. The vehicle was located some time later but not before some considerable damage had been inflicted on it.
The matter remains under investigation and police are requesting the assistance of the public in relation to this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the EPS at 634-4767 or report anonymously through Crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Police next discovered a damaged vehicle that had been driven on the wrong side of the street. Their investigation revealed that the driver was highly intoxicated and also in possession of a controlled substance.
During the investigation, police learned the vehicle had been driven across two lanes of oncoming traffic before hitting a park bench and a tree.
The driver of the offending vehicle was arrested and lodged in cells until sober.
The Strathmore, Alberta man will appear in court at a later date to answer to the charges that were laid against him as a result of his wrong-way run.
Later that same evening, there was a report of another stolen vehicle. In this instance the vehicle had been left running and unlocked in front of a local business while the driver had run into the store for a brief purchase. As the driver entered the store, another person got into the vehicle and drove away. The vehicle was later recovered by Weyburn Police Service personnel and the matter remains under investigation.
Police send out a reminder to motorists that if they intend to leave a vehicle running in cold weather, they should also lock it to prevent potential thefts.
Several checks were made of local drivers over the course of the evening and as a result of police diligence, a 27-year-old Regina woman was arrested for impaired driving. She was lodged in cells until sober and will appear in court at a later date.
On the night of Nov. 20, police were called to a disturbance at a local lounge. When they arrived they arrested an Estevan woman for causing a disturbance and for failing to leave a licensed premises when requested to do so.
During the day and evening of Nov. 20, police responded to several calls regarding motor vehicle accidents brought about by the significant change in weather that led to many motorists not operating their vehicles to accommodate the changing road and driving conditions.
On the night of Nov. 21, EPS members were alerted to the possibility that an impaired person was leaving a local business and might be trying to drive a vehicle.
EPS members caught up to the subject and administered a roadside impairment check and affirmed that the person was highly intoxicated. Charges were laid and the man will appear in court in December.
On that same night, police responded to a call at a local lounge regarding a disturbance but upon arrival they learned that the parties involved had left the area so no further action was required.
