Thursday, November 10, 2011

Traffic Services Seeking Public’s Assistance with Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Collision Investigation

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Traffic Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in completing a motor vehicle and pedestrian collision investigation. The collision occurred on Tuesday the 8th of November at 2:30 pm. It is alleged that a red pickup truck was travelling northbound on Farewell Terrace when the male driver made a wide left hand turn onto Second Line West, travelled up on the sidewalk area and struck a pedestrian that was walking westbound on the sidewalk in front of Tim Hortons. The driver left the scene of the collision travelling westbound on Second Line West. The pedestrian received minor injures that did not require medical attention.

Traffic officers are asking that anyone who may have witnessed or has any information regarding this collision, or that the driver involved contact them at 705-949-6300 Extension 348 or 295 in order that they may compete the investigation.

One Domestic Related Arrest for Bail Court Appearance

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested a 42 year-old female at 7:30 pm last evening at her residence and charged her with one count of assault and two counts of mischief under $5,000. It is alleged that on the 9th of October at approximately 2:40 pm the accused approached her ex-boyfriend while he was walking with a female in the downtown area, assaulted him, threw his glasses to the ground and stomped on them. When the female walking with him attempted to call police with her cell phone, the accused grabbed it and threw it in a puddle. The accused is to appear in bail court this morning.

Break and Enter Reports

• A residence on Estelle Street was broken into last night. A 42 inch television, a Lacer laptop and several bottles of liquor were stolen.

• A residence on Wellington Street East was broken into sometime Tuesday overnight. Numerous electronic items were stolen.

Mischief Report

A vehicle on Retta Street was keyed.

If you have any information regarding these crimes or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS); submit an e-tip from the Crime Stoppers web site at www.saultcrimestoppers.com or text keyword SSM with your tip to 274637.

Crime Prevention Week (Nov 6th –12th) Continues. -“Innovation and Technology in Crime Prevention”

Reminder: Take I.S.S.U.E. (Internet Safety and Sensible Use of Electronics)

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police cordially invite parents to take “I.S.S.U.E.” with them at a presentation at White Pines tonight from 7 pm to 9 pm. Take I.S.S.U.E. (Internet Safety and Sensible Use of Electronics) is a community based police initiative promoting responsible and safe internet/electronic device use and cyber social interaction. The focus of this program is to provide awareness for parents, youths and educational providers in order to highlight the various dangers associated with our rapidly developing technology. In doing so we strive to prevent the victimization of our youth and inspire healthy, responsible and safe cyber habits.

Parents that attended last evening’s presentation at Korah Collegiate found the event to be very informative and provided excellent feedback to officers following the event. Additional presentations will take place tonight at White Pines and on Monday the 14th of November at St. Mary’s College. Hope to see many present.

Crime Prevention Week - Further Crime Prevention Tips

Fraudulent Telephone Scams

Many thieves use the telephone to commit fraud. These criminals are looking for unsuspecting individuals who will give them important information like Social Insurance Numbers, dates of birth, credit card numbers, or bank account numbers. Once they have your information, they use it to make fraudulent purchases, obtain credit, or to access your bank accounts.

Many scams unfortunately target the elderly. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has received a couple of complaints of this scam. The fraudsters have recently masqueraded themselves as the grandson or granddaughter of the elderly person and targeted them for money. The caller will usually identify themselves as a grandchild that has been arrested out of town and they require money to get bailed out of jail. In these scams, the callers are well informed and have a lot of personal information about the potential victim.

If you or anyone you know receives a call like this from a "relative" requiring money, take the following steps:
1. Get the caller to give you a contact number.
2. Contact your local police service.
3. Relay the information to the police.
4. Let the police do a follow-up to confirm the situation.
5. Your local police service will advise you of what actions you should take IF the situation is legitimate.
6. Never send money and/or cheques and reward the criminal.

Signs of a scam

• It sounds too good to be true.
• You’ve won a "big prize" in a contest that you don’t recall entering or you’re offered a once-in-a-lifetime investment that offers a huge return.
• You must pay or you can’t play.
• You’re a winner but you must agree to send money to the caller in order to pay for delivery, taxes, duties, or other fees in order to receive your prize.
• They often ask you to send cash or a money order, rather then a cheque or credit card. Cash is untraceable and can’t be cancelled.
• The person calling claims to be a government official, tax officer, banking official, lawyer, or some other person in authority.