Police Report
June 2 – June 22
June 4 – Staff of a local store received a phone call from someone claiming to be from a courier company advising that the store needed to pay for a business licence. The staff member also received text messages from someone impersonating his boss advising him to remove all money from the store safe and deposit the money into a bitcoin machine. While in the process of depositing the funds, the staff member was contacted by his boss and advised to stop the deposit.
Similar to the scam above, staff of a different local store received multiple calls from someone claiming to be the general manager of the store chain and from someone claiming to be from a courier company advising that the courier would be dropping off a business licence which carried a large fee to be paid by bitcoin. The staff member deposited store and personal funds into the bitcoin machine and realized it was a scam after speaking to the local store manager.
June 5 – A female reported that she listed an item on a local marketplace and was contacted by a buyer who shared a link to facilitate the purchase, which led the seller to share her banking information. Multiple large transfers were then made from the seller’s account, which were later reversed by her bank. Police advised her to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Police received a report from a female who advised that she was scammed in February by a male known to her who took out a loan in her name. This investigation is ongoing.
A teenage female reported that a male known to her sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions. This file is still under investigation.
At approximately 9:19 p.m., police received a complaint regarding three vehicle occupants parked at a local store who had been consuming liquor and then entered the store. Police attended and monitored the unoccupied vehicle until the occupants returned and departed the parking lot, during which time the driver failed to stop a stop sign. Police conducted a traffic stop and located two partially full bottles of liquor inside the vehicle, which were destroyed on scene. The 17-year-old driver complied with the demand for a breath sample, which resulted in a “Warn” reading, and a second breath sample resulted in a reading of 49 mg%. He was issued a 24-hour driver’s licence suspension and tickets for As a novice driver, operating a vehicle while having alcohol in the blood ($113) and As a driver, carrying liquor in a vehicle ($237). The two female passengers were each issued a ticket for Possession or consumption of liquor by a minor ($672). The parents of all occupants were contacted and attended to pick them up.
June 6 – A male was arrested for Mischief Under $5000 after police received a report of him damaging his neighbor’s property. He was released on an Undertaking with a court date at Morden Provincial Court.
Police received a complaint regarding a suspected impaired driver and conducted a traffic stop upon locating the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, police observed him to be displaying signs of impairment and noted the strong odour of liquor emanating from inside the vehicle. He was arrested for Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and transported to the Winkler Police Service. During the booking process, the male was uncooperative with police and assaulted a police officer. He was also charged with Assaulting a Peace Officer and Failure or Refusal to Comply with a Demand, his driver’s licence was suspended for three months, and his vehicle was impounded for 60 days. He was released on an Undertaking with a court date at Morden Provincial Court.
June 9 – A female reported that she fell victim to a job offer scam on WhatsApp which required her to temporarily deposit money into a cryptocurrency account, after which she could withdraw the funds. This occurred over a three-month period and after depositing a substantial amount of money, she was unable to withdraw any funds. She was advised to monitor her accounts and visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for cybersecurity resources.
Police received a report from a female regarding multiple offences committed against her by her ex-boyfriend. The male was located and arrested for Failure to Comply with a Release Order (x6), Forcible Confinement, Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Assault, and Uttering Threats. He was remanded into custody to appear in Winnipeg Provincial Court the following day.
June 12 – A report was received from a female regarding a scam phone call from someone claiming to be from a phone provider who offered her a deal. She provided banking, credit card and personal information and the scammer then attempted to remove funds from her account, which was empty at the time, so no money was lost. The scammer then called again requesting her PIN, which she did not provide. She contacted her bank to report the incident, and police advised her to also contact her credit card company.
June 13 – While monitoring traffic on Main Street, police heard the loud acceleration of a vehicle and observed a large cloud of smoke left behind from the exhaust. While following the vehicle in order to conduct a traffic stop, police observed this behaviour to continue. The driver was issued a ticket for Making unnecessary noise, namely revving engine ($237).
June 14 – Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after receiving a complaint that the driver may be impaired. The driver complied to a demand for a breath sample, which resulted in a “Fail” reading. She was issued an Immediate Roadside Prohibition which carried a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and $700 fine, along with a 30-day vehicle impoundment.
June 15 – At approximately 1:26 a.m., police were advised of a 911 call in the area of Harmony Lane during which a female could be heard screaming. Upon arriving in the area, police were flagged down and advised that a male was assaulted and had his turban removed by three male suspects who fled the scene on foot. With the assistance of the Morden Police Service, the three suspects were located nearby and arrested for the following:
The first male was charged with Failing to Comply with an Undertaking, Assault, Obstruction/Resisting Arrest and Failing to Comply with a Probation Order. He was remanded to appear in Winnipeg Provincial Court.
The second male was charged with Assault, Resisting Arrest and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose and released on an Undertaking with a court date at Morden Provincial Court.
The third male was arrested for Assault and released on an Undertaking with a court date at Morden Provincial Court.
While police were travelling on Highway 14 in the City of Winkler, a vehicle was observed travelling at a high rate of speed and a speed reading of 136 km/h in a 100 km/h zone was obtained. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was issued a ticket for Speeding ($521).
June 16 – A female reported that she has been involved in a cryptocurrency scam over the past year and has lost a substantial amount of money. This investigation is ongoing.
June 17 – A male, who was not currently at home, reported that through his security system he could see a male suspect attempting to break into his residence. While en route, police were advised that the suspect had left in a vehicle and was currently being followed by the complainant in his vehicle. Police conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and learned that the male suspect bought an item from a resident at the home which later stopped working. After not being able to contact the seller, the suspect damaged property outside the residence. Police determined no attempted break and enter took place, and the male was charged with Mischief Under $5000 and released on an Undertaking with a court date at Morden Provincial Court.
June 18 – A complaint was received from staff of a local business regarding two masked males who attempted to gain entry to the building and fled on bicycles after being confronted by the complainant. Officers patrolled the nearby area but did not locate the suspects.
June 19 – While monitoring traffic near Main Street and Highway 14, police observed a northbound vehicle proceed to make a westbound turn while a pedestrian was legally crossing the roadway. The driver swerved, narrowly missing the pedestrian, and was issued tickets for Failing to yield right of way to a pedestrian ($143) and Driving without holding a valid driver’s license ($298).
Police received a report of a vehicle that was vandalized on June 3rd while parked on 3rd Street South. The damage consisted of key scratches and dents on the hood.
A female reported that her purse went missing while at a public facility and that her phone’s GPS showed her purse still at that location. Police located and returned her purse, at which time she noted that cash was missing.
A complaint was received from a car rental company in B.C. regarding a stolen vehicle which was over the contracted number of rental days and currently in Winkler. Police located the suspect vehicle, arrested the driver for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and released him on an Appearance Notice.
June 20 – A male reported vandalism to a telehandler that occurred sometime during the night while parked near Northlands Parkway. The damage consisted of one of the windows being smashed out.
Police were dispatched to a residence regarding a male known to the complainant who was refusing to leave and making threats. The male fled on foot and was located in the backyard of a nearby residence by police and arrested for Assault, Uttering Threats and Failing to Comply with a Release Order (x2). He was remanded into custody to appear in Winnipeg Provincial Court.
June 22 – A female reported that her wallet was stolen from inside a local church and later located in a different area with the cash removed. Church staff were notified of the theft.
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