The Estevan Police Service responded to 81 calls for service over the Labour Day long weekend, including drug and weapons charges against an Alberta man, several wellbeing checks, and multiple fraud and theft investigations.
On Aug. 29, officers checked on a woman believed to be using drugs and struggling with mental health issues. She was found to be healthy and well.
A theft at a downtown business remains under investigation. A separate cellphone theft at the Estevan Public Youth Centre was quickly resolved when the phone was recovered before officers arrived.
That same day, police also conducted a wellbeing check on a man, who was spoken to and offered services, and began investigating a fraud involving a landlord and tenant.
Later, a traffic stop in the industrial area led to the arrest of a 48-year-old Alberta man after cocaine was spotted in his vehicle. A search uncovered knives, machetes and other weapons. He failed a standardized field sobriety test, was taken to hospital for blood samples, and was remanded for court Sept. 2. Charges include possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, failing to comply with a release order, and possession of cocaine.
Speed enforcement on King Street resulted in two youth being ticketed for driving without due care and attention.
Police also responded to a reported fight in a downtown parking lot. Witnesses said no fight occurred, but a man had been yelling at them and left before officers arrived.
A criminal harassment complaint is under investigation, and curfew checks that night found all individuals in compliance.
On Aug. 30, an intoxicated man yelling at traffic downtown was escorted home.
A gas station reported a fraud, which remains under investigation. Officers also confirmed a suspicious man going door-to-door was a licensed salesman operating under city bylaws.
That day, a cellphone and bicycle were found hidden near a business in the industrial area. Police are trying to locate the owner.
A lottery scam was also reported. No funds were lost, and the matter was forwarded to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Over the weekend, police investigated several reports of loud noises thought to be gunshots. In one case, fireworks were to blame; in another, a homeowner on the city’s west edge was using wildlife “bangers” to scare off coyotes.
On Sept. 1, an intoxicated man causing problems in a trailer court was arrested and held in cells until sober.
Curfew checks that night found one individual absent. Charges for failing to comply with release conditions have been laid, and an arrest warrant will be issued.
A traffic stop also led to an impaired driving arrest after a man showed signs of impairment and failed a sobriety test.
Later, police received a complaint of a youth driving erratically and littering in a parking lot at an east-end business. Officers spoke with several people at the scene and will continue patrols in the area.