Thursday, November 13, 2008

Fraud Alert

Officers from the Sault Ste Marie Police Service Fraud Unit are warning residents to be cautious if called by individuals claiming to be offering new warranty packages or extended warranty packages for their vehicles. Residents should also be cautious if they receive similar offers through the mail.

If you have received an unsolicited vehicle warranty telephone offer or a card in the mail you should use the “Buyer Beware” thought process. Educate your choice.

Some ideas you should think about:

1. Do you already have a warranty
2. Have you checked with your car dealership
3. How is the offer worded - does it make sense? Is it realistic?
4. Contact the Better Business Bureau.
5. Research on the Internet.
6. Do not fall victim to a high pressure sale – if it is a good deal today it will be a good deal tomorrow.

This is not a legitimate offer and those who have already been affected by this scam are being asked to contact the Sault Ste Marie Police Services Fraud Unit at 949-6300 and Phonebusters – The Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Center Toll Free at 888-495-8501.

There is a legitimate company called Canadian Auto Warranty Services, Located in St. Louis Missouri that canvasses in Ontario. The number which should appear when they call is 1-800-550-0408.

Stolen Vehicle

35 year old Mark James Faubert of Sudbury Ontario, and 23 year old Ross Wayne Jacko of Sudbury Ontario, have both been charged with 1 count each of theft under $5000 and 1 count each of possession of property obtained by crime- under $5000. It is believed that on the 13th of November just after 3am the two accused attended at Wardlaw Fuels at 207 Wellington Street West in a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. There they purchased $49.20 worth of gas and left without paying. Officers were notified and the vehicle was observed on Great Northern Road. Officers followed the vehicle as it traveled behind Maple Leaf Motors into a field where both accused fled on foot. The K-9 unit assisted patrol officers in tracking the two males who were both found hiding in a parked car on Killarney Rd. They were apprehended at 3:28am.
It was later revealed that the vehicle had originally been reported stolen from Sudbury on the 12th of November.
The accused Mark Faubert was also charged with breaching his probation order. Both will be appearing in bail court this morning.

Theft of Mouthwash

48 year old Daniel Vern Meadows of 1100 Wellington Street East has been charged with one count of theft under $5000. It is believed that on the 12th of November the accused concealed a bottle of antiseptic mouthwash then left Rome’s without making any attempt to pay for it. He was apprehended by store security and held for police. He is scheduled to attend court on the 1st of December.

Domestic Assault

A 17 year old female has been charged with 1 count of assault and 1 count of unauthorized possession of a weapon. On the 12th of November the accused was observed by City Police Officers pushing and grabbing her boyfriend at the rear of a residence in the downtown area. Officers arrested the female and transported her to the station and while searching her found her to be in possession of a switch blade knife. The male in the incident did not suffer any injuries and the female is expected to attended court on the 16th of December.

Mischief reported over the last 24hrs

- Several vehicles parked in the parking lot at 415 Pim (Boston’s) had their windows smashed out with a golf club.
- A vehicle on Indiana Drive had its window smashed.