Battlefords RCMP saw an increase in calls last week, including a break-and-enter in the industrial region. (submitted/RCMP SK Media)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Files increase

Battlefords RCMP focused on B&E’s, missing teens

Jun 3, 2021 | 7:00 AM

Battlefords RCMP have seen an increase in local crime since the turn of warm weather.

The detachment responded to 543 calls over the past week including 36 assault investigations, 22 Mental Health Act investigations, five break-and-enters and six health or COVID violation investigations. Sgt. Neil Tremblay said that was a significant number of investigations that fell into the assault category, though fortunately most of them were on a less serious nature. He added that this overall increase in overall files isn’t uncommon when the weather warms.

“Unfortunately, that increases the likelihood of some more negative interactions with people,” he said.

Two of the break-and-enters occurred at the start of the weekend. One at a business in the industrial area of North Battleford occurred shortly after midnight on May 29, where the suspects and and vehicle used were captured on camera. The vehicle was later seized by police.

(submitted/RCMP SK Media)

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The other incident was reported early in the morning on May 28 on the 800 block of 111 Street, where several individuals reportedly attempted to enter a residence. A 21 year-old male and a 21 year-old female were arrested and face charges of break-and-enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief. That investigation is ongoing.

Two teens still missing

There were eight missing persons reports, three of which remain active. Two teens, Skyler Tinker and Aliya Natomagan, who were reported missing last week, have not been found yet, while the other two, Monty Littlewolfe and Dawson Nakohoot, were located in Saskatoon earlier this week. Tremblay said had received information from Saskatoon police that all four were in Saskatoon and heard of sightings of the remaining two from relatively credible sources.

“But we’re still looking for them until we can guarantee their safety,” he said.

39 year-old Dale Baptiste is also still missing. Reported missing on May 26, Baptiste was last seen by family on May 17 on St. Laurent Drive in North Battleford. Police believe there were unconfirmed sightings in and near North Battleford in the last two weeks.

Car thefts pick up again

There were eight stolen vehicles in the area this week. This includes:

A 2011 Grey GMC Sierra (license plate 5R561) from the 1600 block of 106 Street in North Battleford in the early morning of May 26, as well a 2003 Red GMC Envoy (license plate 392-MED) was taken from the Cochin area that evening.

A 2007 White Chevrolet Aveo (license plate 320-LTE) from a residence south of Battleford on May 27.

A 2020 Red Dodge Ram (license plate 378-MBF) from the 100 block of Battleford on the evening of May 30.

A 2009 White Chevrolet Impala LS (license plate 249-LWH) from Railway Avenue East in North Battleford on the early evening of May 31.

Tremblay said they don’t believe the thefts are linked.

“They’re all in different areas of our detachment area, and with one or two of them, we have suspects that are linked to the registered owners,” he said.

Because several of these incidents are crimes of opportunity, Tremblay said the best thing residents can do is take precautions, especially with keys and locks.

“People are still leaving their keys in their vehicle, and that’s where we are seeing the majority of vehicle thefts stem.”

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cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

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