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RCMP Report: Criminals caught

For the time being, both the male and female are being held to appear before the courts

Over the past several weeks, there has been an increase in property crime in our area.

Police believed that because of the location and timing of these incidents, it was a person or people with a knowledge of the area as many of the thefts occurred in neighborhoods as opposed to along the highway, which is more common.

The week before last two vehicles were stolen from town during the same night. Both vehicles were recovered, but one had been stripped of a few integral parts.

On July 22, one of the stolen vehicles was located in Merritt. A police officer on patrol noticed a vehicle missing a front license plate. As he approached, a man who was fueling up the stolen vehicle tried to evade by walking away and then provided a false name. He was arrested along with a female companion. Both are believed to be part of a group of thieves operating in the Clearwater area.

Police encourage the community to remain vigilant and remind people that valuables should not be kept in plain view and vehicles should be locked up during the night.

For the time being, both the male and female are being held to appear before the courts. However, in time it is likely they will return to this area.

Scams, scams and more scams!

This past week, the Clearwater detachment got a report from a person who had received a letter from Spain. The letter, apparently written by an attorney, asked the recipient to be the “stand in” next-of-kin in order to obtain millions of dollars left behind by a deceased client. Essentially, all the person had to do was present himself or herself to the bank as the paperwork was already squared away. The transaction was entirely risk free. What a deal! Probably not.

Although these types of scams are common, there are still kindhearted people who fall for them. Other popular scams these days include the Emergency or Grandparent scam where a “grandchild” claims to need a quick money transfer to pay for bail or hospital fees, etc. Another one is the Hitman email, where a person claims to have been paid to assassinate you but, instead, wants to share the money with you.

In June, a group of three people arrived at Evergreen Acres and started to solicit business for carpet cleaning. The group stopped only when the maintenance man was called after the situation didn’t add up. The leader of this group was later charged with assault when he tried the same scheme in Vernon and a resident didn’t take to kindly to the group’s business tactics.

Sneakers - a quick getaway

On July 27, the Clearwater detachment received a report of a couple that stayed at a local resort for a couple of nights but left without paying. They racked up a few extra charges and then left without checking out or settling the outstanding charges.

When a manager tried to contact the credit card holder, he was given an excuse and the bill has not yet been paid. The matter is still under investigation. However, it is likely that police will seek charges for fraudulently obtaining food and lodging.