Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Missing 13 Year-Old Located

Missing person, 13 year-old Arron Alton, was located by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Investigation Unit officers in the Wellington Street West area on the 20th of May at approximately 6 pm. He was in good health and has been returned to his caregivers.

We would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in locating this missing youth.

Three persons were arrested on outstanding warrants and breaches and are to appear in bail court this morning

1) 27 year-old Courtney Cartmill of #2-(rear) 167 Albert Street East was arrested on the 20th of May at her residence and charged with three counts of fail to appear court in January and February of this year and one count of breach of a release document for failing to report to the John Howard Society as part of her probation conditions.

2) A 14 year-old male youth was arrested on the 20th of May at 8:20 pm at the Station Mall and charged with one count of theft under $5,000.00, three counts of fail to appear court and one count of fail to appear for prints. It is alleged that on the 20th of May around 8 pm the accused attended at the Station Mall Pharmacy and stole hair products. The accused was apprehended by store security and held for police. When police attended and ran a check on the accused, they discovered that he was wanted on several outstanding warrants for failing to appear court and prints in January, February and March of this year.

3) A 30 year-old male was arrested on the 21st of May at 1:47 am and charged with six counts of breach of release documents. It is alleged that on the 21st of May around 1:30 am city police attended at a local bar to remove a male that was yelling and harassing a female in the bar. When officers attended they located the accused with his ex-common law spouse. The accused was on recognizance release conditions from previous domestic related incidents with the victim that he not molest, harass, physically interfere or communicate with her. At the time of the incident, the accused was under the influence of alcohol and was on further conditions that he not consume any alcohol. Officers further discovered that the accused did not notify his change in address as required as another release condition.

Male Shoplifter Charged

42 year-old Geoffrey Chamings of #8-110 Wilding Avenue was arrested on the 20th of May at 1 pm at his residence and charged with one count of theft under $5,000.00. It is alleged that on the 10th of April; at approximately 12:42 pm the accused attended at the Tool Town Store in the Wellington Square Mall on Trunk Road and stole a power winch valued at $499.99. He is to appear in court on the 23rd of June.

Regarding the possible Fraud Scam involving the Red Cross, here are a few safety tips that City Police would like to provide to the Public

Charity scams often look real; they may also name themselves something similar to other legitimate charities or misrepresent themselves as a representative or volunteer.

They may even carry 'ID' in the name of the charity, complete with a logo.

These scam artists use all of the standard methods to collect 'donations' for their charity scams -- tables at the local mall, going door-to-door, email, and telemarketing.

All this makes charity scams harder to spot. However, here are 10 tips to help spot charity scams:

1. BE WARY of every opportunity that presents itself -- especially when it presents itself in the wake of some big disaster that gets lots of media attention.

2. Ask for the name, address, and phone number of the charity -- and whether or not it is registered. If the presenters claim that it is registered, get a registration number

3. Verify with the office of the charity that there is indeed a campaign going on, or that they've authorized the charity drive that you're being invited to contribute to.

4. Don't ever donate cash if you can help it. Write a check to the charity -- not to the person standing in front of you. This also helps you document the donation for your records and for your tax return. And don't give out bank information!

5. Ask what percentage of your donation goes directly to the cause. Legitimate charities will have ready answers because they are used to the question.

6. Get a receipt with the name of the charity on it.

7. Be especially cautious about getting a charity donation request by email. Most legitimate charities don't use email for their solicitations. (Some legitimate charities will email people who have donated before -- but never respond to requests where you've never donated.)

8. Be especially wary about charities that claim to be raising funds for the local charities or associations like police or firefighters. Check with them first!

9. Don't give in to pressure or 'guilt trips' about 'suggested donations' or 'requested minimum contributions.' Once you've determined that the charity is legitimate and you've decided you want to contribute, simply give what you can and want to give -- it will be appreciated.

10. The best way we know of to avoid charity scams is to decide IN ADVANCE (while you're doing your annual or monthly budget) which charities you'll support and CONTACT THEM. Then you can gracefully turn anyone else down who comes your way with hat in hand.

It's great to be a giver -- but give cautiously so you're not enriching scammers or a questionable 'charity.'