The following is a summary of police activity in the Central Plains Area (Portage la Prairie, Treherne, Amaranth and the surrounding Rural Municipalities). The reporting dates are between Oct. 17 and Oct. 23, 2016. During this time period police responded to: 310 calls for service.

ARREST AFTER BREAK-IN ATTEMPTS
Residents along Alfred Avenue were frightened early Saturday morning, as an unidentified male attempted to break into several homes. Police quickly located the 24-year-old male suspect and arrested him for break and enter. Investigators would learn that the male was bound to several court imposed conditions, and was held in custody until such time as he could be brought before the court. Police remind everyone to call in suspicious activity as it happens, as officers have a higher likelihood of catching these offenders.

CAR STOLEN FROM DIAMOND D
Police are asking for the assistance of the community in locating a stolen vehicle from the Diamond D Auto Sales lot on Oct. 21. The vehicle, described as a red 2006 Pontiac G6, was last seen with a Manitoba dealer plate D60893. Investigators are asking that if you see a vehicle matching this description, you contact your local police detachment with its whereabouts. Anonymous tips made through Manitoba Crimes Stoppers can win cash awards if information provided leads to the prosecution of those involved.

IMPAIRED DRIVERS CAUGHT
Portage la Prairie RCMP received a call for an impaired driver around the area of the Cat & Fiddle bar, shortly after closing time on Oct. 22. Officers came in contact with the suspect’s vehicle, and were quickly able to determine that the male driver, 26, showed signs of intoxication. The driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and his subsequent breath samples were almost double the legal limit. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 30 days at the owner’s expense.

On Oct. 23 shortly after 2:00 AM, while conducting a traffic check stop along 4th Street SW, officers observed a vehicle strike and run up onto the curb. Once in contact with the male driver, 37, officers quickly determined that he was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and taken into custody. His subsequent breath samples were double the legal limit. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 60 days at the owner’s expense.

Just before 9:00 AM on Oct. 23, Portage la Prairie RCMP came in contact with an impaired driver on PR 240. The 59-year-old male driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and his subsequent breath samples were over 1.5 times the legal limit. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 30 days at the owner’s expense.

SUSPICIOUS FIRES
Portage la Prairie emergency services responded to several fires across town throughout the early morning hours Oct. 18. Patrolling along River Road, officers found a large pile of stolen newspapers on fire, surrounding a stolen propane tank. That blaze was extinguished before any serious injury or damage was caused. A second blaze on 14th Street NW was reported around 5:45 a.m., where a garage was engulfed in flames. Both fires are being treated as suspicious, and investigators are currently following up with witnesses and security camera footage from various sources. If you have any information that can lend assistance to these investigations, please contact your local police detachment. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

STOLEN VEHICLE FOUND
A motorist was observed traveling at 94 km/h in a 70 km/h zone in Portage la Prairie on Oct. 17. When officers stopped the vehicle, they discovered that not only were the license plates on the car stolen, but the vehicle was stolen as well. Both the female driver (25 years old) and the male passenger (19 years old) were arrested and removed from the vehicle without incident. Both were released from police custody a short time later, to appear in Portage Court at a later date.

SPEEDY DRIVING
A motorist was observed traveling at 142 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy 2 in the RM of Treherne/Norfolk. The female driver, 50, was issued a fine in the amount of $599.75.

TWO VEHICLE COLLISION
On Oct. 18 just after 3:00 p.m., Portage la Prairie emergency services responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection between Sobey’s and CO-OP on Saskatchewan Avenue. No one involved was seriously injured as a result of the collision. Charged with failing to stop at a red light was a 64-year-old male driver.

CYCLIST STRUCK BY VEHICLE
A passing motorist informed police of a cyclist appearing to have been struck by a vehicle on Oct. 19. Police arrived at the scene of the collision on PR 331, finding the cyclist suffering from several scrapes and bruises as a result of being hit. Paramedics treated the cyclist, while officers spoke with the suspected driver of the vehicle, who had returned to the collision scene. A male driver (42 years old) was charged with failing to give the required information to a person injured in the accident, with a fine of $299.65.

DISQUALIFIED DRIVER NABBED
While patrolling the area around Wal-Mart on Oct. 20, Portage la Prairie RCMP came in contact with a vehicle parked illegally in the fire lane. The female driver, 23, was found to be disqualified from operating a motor vehicle, as well as having no driver’s liability insurance. The driver will be required to appear before the court on these charges.

If you have any information that could lend assistance in the investigation of these crimes or others, please contact your local RCMP, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

CALLS FOR SERVICE SUMMARY
116 Traffic violations
98 Traffic Offences (Highway Traffic Act)
6 Vehicle Collisions
12 Impaired Drivers
41 Provincial statutes (Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Coroner’s Act, 911 Act, etc.)
6 Crimes against person
5 Assaults
1 Assault with Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm
40 Crimes against property
9 Thefts
3 Theft of Motor Vehicles
3 Break and Enters
25 Mischiefs to Property
47 Other Criminal Investigations
60 Other Police Activities (False Alarms, Suspicious Person/Vehicle, Assistance Given, etc.)

Oct 17: 55 calls for service
Oct 18: 44 calls for service
Oct 19: 47 calls for service
Oct 20: 44 calls for service
Oct 21: 37 calls for service
Oct 22: 58 calls for service
Oct 23: 25 calls for service