Winkler Police responded to a number of incidents this week including an accusation from a local resident that a man tried poisoning his rice.

On March 5, police received a complaint from a male who believed that another male in his building poisoned his rice with window cleaner before the two began eating supper together. The complainant was transported to Boundary Trails Health Centre for assessment. The file is still under investigation.

On March 8, police received a complaint of break and enter at a residence on Pembina Avenue that occurred on February 5. The complainant stated that someone gained entry to the apartment by breaking a window and stole a bicycle, television and electronic gaming system from his home. The file is also under investigation.

Below is the full report for March 5 to March 11:

During this time period our police service opened 73 files. The following are some of those files.

March 5 – Shortly before 12:00 a.m., police were notified of a suspicious vehicle parked in the northbound lane of Manitoba Road. Police attended and found the vehicle unoccupied and obstructing the road, therefore a tow truck was called to remove the vehicle. While waiting for the tow truck the owner of the vehicle arrived on scene and stated that he parked on the road as his vehicle previously became stuck in the parking lot of his workplace due to the winter storm. The male immediately moved the vehicle and police cancelled the tow truck.

March 6 – Police were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 14 and 15th Street regarding a two-vehicle collision. Police learned a westbound van travelled through the intersection during a red light and struck a southbound vehicle. The driver of the southbound vehicle was transported to the Boundary Trails Health Centre with undetermined injuries. It is believed the traffic lights were obstructed by snow and ice from the recent winter storm. No charges were laid in this incident.

Police received a request for assistance in keeping the peace between a husband and wife who were in the process of separating. Police attended and remained on scene as requested until the female had removed her personal belongings from the home.

A female reported that she received a cheque in the mail for $2,280 after being offered a housekeeping job through an online job listing website. The suspect claimed to have sent the cheque to help cover the cost of cleaning supplies and wages, as she would be away when the complainant started the job. The cheque received was determined to be fake by the complainant’s bank, and no money was lost. Police have recently received several other reports similar in nature.

A report was received regarding a suspicious male who left an envelope under the gazebo area at the corner of 15th Street and Grandeur Avenue. Police attended, viewed the envelope labelled “Point 1 N” and determined it to be part of a scavenger hunt or geocaching.

March 7 – A staff member of the C. W. Wiebe Medical Centre requested assistance in removing an unwanted male from the waiting room. The male was causing problems for his ex-wife who was at the clinic awaiting an appointment. Police located the male and advised him to leave the premises and not return while his ex-wife was still present in the building.

A report was received of a fight in progress between a male and female in front of Pet Valu. Police attended to find that the suspects departed the scene on foot toward Wal-Mart. Police located the suspects at separate locations who both advised the fight was verbal and no physical assault had taken place. Police offered both parties rides home but they declined.

Police were dispatched to a residence on 8th Street South regarding a domestic dispute between a husband and wife. Police learned the couple’s son had called 9-1-1 after hearing his parents yelling. Police attended and learned there was a verbal argument however no assault had taken place.

A report of theft was received from loss prevention personnel of Superstore regarding a male who attempted to leave the store without paying for $755 worth of groceries. Loss prevention personnel confronted the male who subsequently left the groceries and fled the scene. This file is still under investigation.

March 10 – Police conducted a traffic stop on Boundary Trail and noted an odor of liquor on the driver’s breath. The driver complied to a demand for a breath sample which resulted in a reading of 27 mg%. The 16 year old female was under a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration restriction therefore her driver’s license was suspended for 24 hours. She was also issued a ticket for Consumption of Liquor by a Minor. A small amount of marihuana and drug paraphernalia was also located in the possession of another passenger, which was seized and destroyed. The vehicle was left parked at the scene and the driver was given a ride home by police.

March 11 – A resident of 7th Street South advised police that an unwelcome male was knocking on the doors and windows of his home, and he wanted the male removed from the property. Police attended and advised the male to cease from attending the residence as he was not wanted at the home. The male was argumentative with police but left the scene.