Winkler Police responded to a number of late-night thefts and disturbances this past week, including a resident of Durum Crescent who reported being harrassed by two men in black masks.

According to the report, someone rang his doorbell approximately 50 times, and when he went to the front door he observed two males standing by his vehicle. The males were wearing black masks over their faces, and fled when the homeowner pursued them on foot. The complainant reported later seeing one of the suspects carrying a baseball bat.

Police patrolled the area but were unable to locate the individuals.

That same night of September 4, several reports of theft were received from campers at the Winkler campground. The thefts occurred sometime during the early morning hours, and among the items stolen were a barbeque, lawn chairs, and tools. There are no suspects at this time.

A few nights later on September 8, a resident of Crystal Crescent reported that his cell phone was stolen out of his unlocked vehicle during the night while it was parked on his driveway. The resident heard a noise near the door leading into his garage at approximately 2:30 a.m, and when he looked outside he saw two individuals walking away. Police have no suspects at this time.

That same night resident of Parmount Bay reported that her iPod was stolen out of her unlocked vehicle sometime during the night while parked on her driveway.

Police received a report of a suspicious person who had attended a residence of 7th Street on September 10. The homeowner heard several loud knocks at his front door from an unknown person between 2:00 a.m and 3:00 a.m, but the homeowner did not answer the door. The homeowner searched his property but did not locate anyone on the premises.

In light of recent investigations, police are reminding everyone to lock their vehicles and homes to prevent thefts.

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Below is the full Winker Police Report for September 4-10:

September 8, at 12:15am, a resident of Gemstone Drive reported a loud party outside the building that was keeping her family awake. Police cautioned the homeowner about the noise and he agreed to take his guests inside and keep the noise down.

Police conducted a traffic stop during which time the male driver of the vehicle admitted to having possession of marijuana. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers locating a quantity of marijuana, which was destroyed on scene. The driver of the vehicle was given a verbal warning for possession of a controlled substance.

A complainant reported that the windows of a truck he owns were smashed while parked on his property near Walmart.

Police received a complaint that a large group of people and vehicles were gathered at the Bergthaler Mennonite Church and were revving their engines, squealing tires and being extremely loud, which was preventing the complainant’s family from sleeping. Police attended and advised all vehicles and individuals to leave the area.

September 9, a report was received of a break and enter in progress at the Emerado Centennial School involving three males attempting to break into a shed on the property. Police spoke with the three males who stated they were standing near the shed but were not attempting to break in. Police could find no signs of break and enter.

However as one of the males was removing his identification from his vehicle, officers observed open liquor inside the vehicle. While retrieving the liquor from the vehicle, police also observed a plastic container containing marijuana. The male was issued a ticket for Unlawful Transportation of Liquor in a Motor Vehicle, and received a verbal warning for possession of a controlled substance.

September 10, a complaint was received of a loud party at a residence of Gemstone Drive. Police met several people outside including the tenant who was hosting the party. The tenant was given a verbal warning and agreed to keep the noise to a minimum.

A complaint was received of a damaged windshield which was caused as a result of a dispute between two groups of individuals. It was determined that a group of males inside a vehicle were taunting and harassing two males outside the vehicle who were unknown to them. The two males proceeded to leave the property on their skateboards, however the group of males inside the vehicle followed them to another location and would not leave them alone.  The dispute escalated when one of the males threw his skateboard at the windshield of the vehicle, which caused damage to the windshield. The male who threw the skateboard along with the males who were in the vehicle will share the cost to fix the damage.

Police also received requests to assist with a motor vehicle accident, broken natural gas line, residential fire, medical emergency and several mischief complaints during this time period.

The Winkler Police Service has also been doing extra patrolling as part of the Manitoba Public Insurance sponsored Distracted Driving Initiative program. Officers will be keeping an extra eye out for speeding in school zones, as well as for cell phone use while driving a vehicle and other infractions. Please keep in mind that the school year has started, and the reduced school speed zones are now in effect.