The following is the Morden Police report for the period of January 23rd to January 30th , 2017, as submitted by the department.

January 23rd, 2017
Police were dispatched through Provincial 911 to a house fire on Gilmour Street in Morden.  Officers arrived on scene with members of the Morden Fire and Rescue and observed the residence to be engulfed in smoke.  A subsequent investigation revealed that a furnace motor was the cause of the smoke and all occupants of the residence were safe.

January 24th, 2017
Police were on general patrol and observed a vehicle pull off Highway #3 into the parking lot of a local business.  Police observed the vehicle to be operated in a suspicious manner and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Police spoke with the occupants of the vehicle and through a subsequent investigation they were detained for a drug investigation. Police located several baggies containing a crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine.  Two of the occupants were subsequently arrested and the drugs and drug paraphernalia were seized.  The 36 year old female driver of the vehicle and a 34 year old female passenger of the vehicle, both from Winkler, are facing charges of Possession of a controlled substance to wit:  Methamphetamine.  Both females were released on Promises to Appear in Morden Provincial Court on a later date.


January 25th, 2017
Police received a call from an employee at a local business advising police of a possible Impaired driver.  The employee explained that the driver was confronted and then left the scene on foot.  While police were responding to the business the suspect returned to the vehicle and drove away.   The employee was able to provide police with a description of the suspect and the vehicle.   Members of the Morden Police patrolled and located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.  While the police vehicle was stationary with the emergency lights activated, the suspect vehicle began rolling back towards the police cruiser, and police had to activate the siren to get the vehicle to stop.  Police attended to the driver side of the vehicle and observed the suspect driver to be holding an open can of beer.  The driver had difficulty unlocking the vehicle doors and leaned heavily on the door to exit the vehicle.  The vehicle again began rolling back towards the police cruiser and the suspect had to put the vehicle in park.  Police observed a heavy odor of liquor on the accused breath and several signs of Impairment.  The accused was arrested for Impaired Driving and transported to the Morden Police Service where he provided breath samples almost 3 times the legal limit.   Wesley John HOFER of the R.M of St. Anne has been charged with Impaired Driving, Driving over .08 and carrying liquor in a vehicle contrary to the Liquor and Gaming Control Act.  HOFER was released on a Promise to Appear in Morden Provincial Court in February.

January 27th, 2017
On this date at approximately 10:30 pm police were alerted to some suspicious activity at the Morden Collegiate Institute Bus loop area.  Police attended to the area and observed several vehicles that were parked there had been damaged.  Police are continuing to investigate the damage to the vehicles.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Morden Police Service at 822-4900, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).  

January 28th, 2017
On this date members of the Morden Police Service were on general patrol on Thornhill Street when they were flagged down by a pedestrian.  Police spoke with the male who requested police assistance with his girlfriend who was drunk and jumping into traffic.  While taking the report police observed a female walk out into the travel lane portion of the highway causing a vehicle to stop.   Police attended to the female and observed several signs of intoxication.  The female was subsequently arrested by police, for her own safety, and lodged in police cells until sober.

January 28th, 2017
 While on a call at a residence in Morden members of the Morden Police Service came in contact with a youth who was showing signs of intoxication and police could detect an odor of burnt marihuana. Police located approximately 71 prescription pills that are known to be sold in Morden.   The accused young person was arrested and police located a substance believed to be “shatter”, a street name for a potent form of Cannabis Resin.   Police took the individual into custody and was transported to the Morden Police Service.   Police were successful in obtaining a Search Warrant for the residence and seized the drugs and paraphernalia.  The 17 year old youth is facing charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance for the purpose of Trafficking.   The youth was released on a Promise to Appear, with conditions of an undertaking, to appear in Morden Provincial Court for a later date.   Police are continuing to investigate this matter.  

Total Calls for Service – 66

Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle - 1
Controlled Drugs & Substances (possession & possession for the purpose of trafficking)  – 4
Other Criminal Code (mischief over $5000, breach of protection order) – 6
Traffic Accidents / Fail to stop or remain at the scene of an accident – 2
Highway Traffic Act Offences (charges & warnings) – 4
Assist General Public (suspicious persons/vehicles, attempted fraud, domestic dispute, missing person, emergency hang up) - 16
Other Police Activities (alarms, criminal record checks, assist other agencies, Lost / Found Property, K9 assistance, mental health act, 24 hour suspension) –   33