PAPS News/Info

News Release January 17th/2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:26:00 GMT

Further to Sunday’s Duty NCO release, Prince Albert Police responded to 165 calls for service from Friday evening through Monday morning. As a result, 32 people were arrested, with 12 of those being for public intoxication. 2 people were taken to the Brief Detoxification Center. The majority of calls were in reference to intoxicated persons, disturbances and loud party complaints.

A brief breakdown of service calls is as follows:

Friday night – 69 calls

Saturday days – 27 calls

Saturday night – 34 calls

Sunday days – 19 calls

Sunday night – 16 calls

Brief Detoxification Center

The 2011 statistics for the use of the Brief Detoxification Center by the Prince Albert Police Service have been submitted. The BDC was utilized on 563 occasions during the 2011 calendar year, from a total of 2,774 arrests for public intoxication in the City of Prince Albert during the same time period (approximately 20%).

Overall 2011 Statistical Data

2011 statistical data will be presented by Prince Albert Police Administration to the Board of Police Commissioners this week. This data will be shared with local media (and the public) at our regular weekly news conference on Tuesday, January 24^th/2012.

Updates:

Criminal Investigation Division

11-28079 –Missing Person (Rodney RITCHIE)

40-year old Rodney RITCHIE, who also apparently sometimes goes by the name of ‘Jody RITCHIE’ continues to be listed as a missing person after being reported as missing to the Prince Albert Police on September 9^th/2011. An investigative file update will be forthcoming at next week’s regular news conference to update the media on the status on this file.

There are no other current updates from the Criminal Investigation Section. Active files continue to be worked on by investigators.

Current:

12-1503

On Monday January 16^th at approximately 1:34am Prince Albert Police responded to an alarm at a retail business in the 1200 block of 1^st Avenue West. On arrival, officers noted glass had been broken out and a door left ajar.

After clearing the building, a canine team attempted to track the person or persons responsible, but was unsuccessful. Damage is estimated at approximately $500 and the owner has advised that an undisclosed amount of cash is missing.

Police continue to investigate. If you know the person or persons responsible for this offence, please call the Prince Albert Police at 953-4222 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477, 1-800-222-TIPS

SGI Operation Crossroads – Targeting Intersection Safety

The Prince Albert Police Service will join our law enforcement colleagues from across the Province of Saskatchewan on January 18^th and 19^th in a coordinated traffic safety blitz enforcing intersection safety. This is the 3^rd such concentrated effort, with ‘Operation HandsFree’ in November targeting cell phone use while driving, and December’s ‘Operation Overdrive’ focusing on impaired driving.

‘Operation Crossroads’ focus will include pedestrian safety at crosswalks, red lights, stop signs and other similar intersection violations. Members of both the Traffic and Patrol Sections will participate.

In 2010, SGI statistics indicate that 42% of all collisions in Saskatchewan occurred at an intersection. That’s more than 12,000 collisions that resulted in 48 deaths and nearly 3,800 injuries.

SGI and the Prince Albert Police Service remind the public to please drive carefully.

Sgt. K.B. McLEAN #93

Media / Special Projects

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News Release January 15th/2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:24:00 GMT

The Prince Albert Police Service responded to a total of 129 calls for service over the weekend. During this time 28 arrests were made with 12 arrests for being intoxicated in a public place.

The majority of the calls for service were in relation to intoxicated persons, disturbances & loud parties.

Notable call: 2012-1455. Police & Fire services responded to a structure fire in the 300 block of 6^th St. East at approximately 0200hrs January 15^th. The residence involved was found to be vacant at the time of the fire. The matter is still under investigation after inspection by PAPS identification member & PAFD fire investigator.

S/Sgt. F. BORSOS #107 ('C' Platoon)

News Release January 13th/2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:22:00 GMT

Further to the release from January 12^th regarding an early evening pursuit that occurred in the City of Prince Albert on January 11^th/2012, the two accused males arrested from the vehicle at the termination of the pursuit have made their first appearance in Prince Albert Provincial Court.

The driver, 28-year old Barry Dean HEIMBECKER of Prince Albert has been remanded in custody until his next scheduled court appearance on Wednesday January 18^th/2012. He is charged with Dangerous Driving, Failing to Stop for Police, Resist Arrest, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Break-In Tools -Section 351(1) cc-, Breach of Probation and several offences under the Traffic Safety Act.

Also arrested at scene, and remanded in custody until January 18^th is 22-year old Tyson Derryk LAFONDE of Prince Albert. He has been charged with Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Break-In Tools.

Sgt.K.B. McLEAN #93

Media / Special Projects

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News Release January 12th/2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:21:00 GMT

On Tuesday January 11^th at 6:59pm Prince Albert Police responded to the 1700 block of 14^th Street West regarding an ongoing complaint of assault and breach of probation, as well as out of jurisdiction warrants. The subject of complaint in this investigation, a 28-year old Prince Albert male, was wanted and believed to be a danger to both public and police. He had left the area prior to police arrival, but a vehicle description was obtained, and a search was initiated.

The vehicle was located by police at approximately 9:41pm in the area of 15^th Street and 6^th Avenue West and an attempt was made to stop the accused in the 600 block of 22^nd Street West. The accused fled from the police at this point, and a criminal pursuit ensued. The pursuit travelled across the City, with the accused at one point travelling North on 6^th Avenue East in the southbound lanes, forcing southbound traffic to take evasive action. Traffic control (traffic lights and stop signs) were ignored by the accused, and initial attempts to utilize ‘stop sticks’ were negative. The accused travelled back West along River Street with speeds reached of approximately 100kph.

Stop sticks were successfully utilized at 14^th Street and 16^th Avenue West, but the accused continued to attempt to evade police, finally coming to a stop in the 1700 block of 14^th Street West (the location of the original complaint). Both the driver and passenger refused initial police commands to exit the vehicle, and were forcibly removed from the vehicle by patrol officers with the assistance of Canine.

The driver, the wanted 28-year old Prince Albert male, suffered a bite wound from the police service dog to his right leg at the time of arrest. He was treated for his injury at the Victoria Hospital and released into police custody. One police officer also suffered a minor injury. The 22-year old passenger was arrested without injury.

Both accused persons are currently being held on a variety of charges, and will be remanded in custody pending initial court appearances in Prince Albert Provincial Court.

Sgt. K.B. McLEAN #93

Media / Special Projects

News Release January 8th/2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:15:00 GMT

Prince Albert Police service responded to 163 calls for service with 32 arrests over the weekend. The majority of the calls were in relation to intoxicated persons or disturbances.

No other news worthy items to report at this time.

Thank you

S/Sgt. Frank Borsos

C-Platoon

News Release January 3rd/2012

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:51:00 GMT

Further to the Duty NCO release, Prince Albert Police responded to 332 calls for service from Friday evening through Monday morning. As a result, 69 arrests were made, with 39 of those being for public intoxication. 10 people were taken to the Brief Detoxification Center. The majority of calls were in reference to disturbances, intoxicated persons, and evictions.

A brief breakdown of calls is as follows:

Friday night – 65 calls

Saturday days – 46 calls

Saturday night (*New Years Eve*) - 112 calls

Sunday days – 62 calls

Sunday night – 47 calls

Criminal Investigation Division – Update

There are no updates this week from the Criminal Investigation Division. Open files continue to be actively investigated.

11-39394

Further to our release from December 29^th/2011, the 22-year female arrested after a stabbing incident in the midtown area at approximately 3:30am on December 29^th/2011 made her initial appearance in Prince Albert Provincial Court on Friday, December 30^th.

Joanne Lee BIRD, 22-years old, of Prince Albert was remanded back into custody and will make her next appearance on Thursday, January 5^th/2012 at 10:00am. She has been charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon, Obstruction and 2 counts of Breach of Court Conditions.

11-39412

On Friday December 30^th at 10:05am Prince Albert Police responded to the 800 block of 17^th Street West to assist Parkland Ambulance paramedics with an injured male. A 31-year old Prince Albert male had been banging on a door at that location, seeking assistance. Medical personnel found the male suffering from serious head trauma and symptoms of hypothermia. He was transported to the Victoria Hospital for initial treatment, and later to University Hospital in Saskatoon. He remains there in serious condition. Prince Albert Police continue to investigate.

New Years Eve

Prince Albert Police report a major-incident free evening. Although 2 impaired drivers were arrested (as detailed in the Duty NCO report), the message to the community and programs to ensure designated drivers helped to ensure an injury and fatality free night of celebration on our streets. Our thanks to the many volunteers that helped to make this happen, and to everyone out there that made the ‘right choice’.

The Prince Albert Police encourage our community to make wise choices on drinking and driving a part of their everyday lives throughout the year.

12-251

On January 3^rd/2012 at 1:00am Prince Albert Police responded to the area of the 1100 block of 15^th Street West regarding a disturbance. On arrival, it was determined a 13 and a 15 year old girl had been the victims of a robbery. One of the girls had suffered minor injury, and she was treated at the Victoria Hospital and released.

Suspects were located in the area. Although they denied involvement, when officers called the number of the stolen cell phone, it rang in the pocket of one of the suspects. A 16-year old male and a 15-year old female, both from Prince Albert, have been arrested and charged with Robbery with Violence.

Sgt.K.B. McLean #93

Media / Special Projects

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News Release January 1st/2012

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:48:00 GMT

The Prince Albert Police responded to a total of 218 calls for service from 6pm Friday night to noon Sunday. A total of 50 people were arrested during this time period with 32 of those being arrested for intoxication. 2 people were taken to the Brief Detoxification Centre.

Call breakdown:

65 -Fri - Night

46 - Sat - Day

107 - Sat - Night

The majority of calls were for intoxication, loud parties, and disturbances. No major incidents were reported to police on New Years Eve.

Files of Interest

2012-52

January 1, 2012, 439 am, police observed a person driving erratic in the 1200 blk of 1^st Ave E. A vehicle stop was conducted and a 29 year old Deschambeault Lake female was arrested for Impaired Driving. A breath demand was made and the female was also charged with exceed. She was released from police custody later in the day and is to appear in Provincial Court at a later date.

2012-100

January 1, 2012, 1139 am, police responded to an incident in the West Hill involving a motor vehicle and a building. Police arrested a 19 year old Christopher Lake man and will be charging him with Impaired Driving and Exceed. Damage to the motor vehicle was minimal while damage to the building will have to be assessed.

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S/Sgt. Settee

NCO i/c D Platoon

News Release December 30th/2011 (#2)

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:47:00 GMT

On December 29^th/2011 at approximately 10:00pm police responded to the 1200 block of 17^th Street West for a report of a stabbing.

Upon arrival police located a male inside the residence with a single stab wound to his lower back. The victim was transported to the Vic OPD where he received surgery for his wound and is reported to be in stable condition.

A 55-year old male is in custody in relation to this incident and will be remanded to Monday to face charges of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a weapon.

Sgt. Curtis HALCRO

Media Liaison

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News Release December 30th/2011

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:46:00 GMT

With holiday celebrations all around us, the Prince Albert Police Service encourages our citizens and visitors to our community to celebrate New Year’s Eve responsibly. If you choose to drink alcohol as part of your celebration, please plan a safe ride home BEFORE your celebration begins.

Have a designated driver. Use one of the several local taxi companies. Consider ‘Ding in the New Year’ which provides free bus transportation on designated routes, or ‘Operation Red Nose’ where a team of volunteers will assist citizens in safely getting both themselves and their vehicles home.

The Prince Albert Police Service will be active in the community throughout the weekend, responding to calls for assistance and searching for impaired drivers.

On behalf of the members and staff of the Prince Albert Police Service, have a safe and happy holiday season, and all the very best in 2012!

Sgt. Curtis HALCRO

Media Liaison

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News Release December 29th/2011

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:45:00 GMT

On December 29^th/2011 at approximately 3:30am police responded to a report of a disturbance in the midtown area of the city.

Upon arrival police located a male and a female advising that they both had been stabbed. They advised that the female responsible had fled on foot.

Officers located the female a short time later still in the area and she was arrested and taken into custody.

The 22yr old female was subsequently charged with:

-two counts of aggravated assault

-possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

-obstruction

-two counts of breach of probation

The female will appear in Provincial Court on December 30^th

The two victims remain in hospital after having surgery and are recovering.

Sgt. Curtis HALCRO

Media Liaison

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