Upper Ottawa Valley Weekly Release

During the week of the 16th of March to the 22nd of March members of the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Detachment investigated 265 incidents including domestics, thefts and motor vehicle collisions.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

During the week of the 16th of March to the 22nd of March members of the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Detachment investigated 18 motor vehicle collisions. 17 collisions were property damage and 1 was a personal injury motor vehicle collisions.

Winter Driving

Be prepared and plan ahead – Check road and weather conditions ahead of time and allow extra time to reach your destination. Even though spring has officially arrived, it is still important to remember not to take chances, if the weather is bad wait until conditions improve. If you are taking a longer trip plan your route and let someone know your destination and expected time of arrival. Clear the snow and ice from your vehicle turn on its full lighting system and carry extra washer fluid.

RIDE

During the week of the 16th of March to the 22nd of March members of the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Detachment conducted 7 RIDE programs. The OPP is reminding drivers that any amount of alcohol or drugs can impair one’s ability to drive. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi, stay overnight or use public transit.

Theft

• P/C Jeff Cotnam is the investigating officer in a report of a theft of a piece of iron fence from a yard on Pembroke St. East in the City of Pembroke. The piece of fence was subsequently located approximately a block and a half from the residence. The report was filed on the 20th of March.

• On the 19th of March a complaint was filed of a theft of a microwave oven from Pembroke Street West in the City of Pembroke. P/C Bob Fitzgerald is the investigating officer. The investigation is continuing.

• On the 21st of March a report was filed in which 4 individuals failed to pay for a taxi fare in Laurentian Valley Twp. P/C David Scott is the investigating officer. The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has any information concerning these crimes please contact the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Fraud

• On the 17th of March a complaint was filed in which an individual had advertised on the computer looking for a roommate. An individual sent a cheque for more than the asking amount, and then asked for the excess to be sent back. The cheque was subsequently deemed to be fraudulent. P/C Peter Spital is the investigating officer. The public is urged to consider the following before sending money to an unknown person who has requested to purchase something of yours over the computer:

•”know who you are dealing with

•never accept a cheque for more than your asking price

•never agree to wire back funds to a buyer

•resist pressure to act now – if an offer is good now, it should be good when the cheque clears

•consider a visit to the bank to determine if the questionable cheque is legitimate”

For more information on frauds and scams please visit www.antifraudcentre.ca

• On the 17th of March a report was filed in which a male and female attended a restaurant on Pembroke St. East in the City of Pembroke. They ate and left without paying. P/C Brittany Falls is the investigating officer. The investigation is continuing.

• On the 18th of March a complaint was filed in which an individual had their resume on the computer looking for employment. They were subsequently contacted by someone claiming to be from a reputable company offering employment. They requested banking documents, and other personal information. Once the company was contacted it was confirmed that they do not do business in this manner. P/C Maggie Jones is the investigating officer. The public is reminded never to send personal and or banking information to an unknown person on the computer. For more information on frauds and scams, please visit www.antifraudcentre.ca.

• P/C Maggie Jones is the investigating officer in a report in which an individual reported receiving a call telling the victim that there was a virus on their computer and that they could fix it. The individual did not give them access to the computer nor did they provide any banking information. The report was filed on the 19th of March. The public is reminded that by” allowing a third party to download software or remotely access your computer carries a number of serious risks. Malicious software can be installed to capture sensitive data such as your online banking user names and passwords, bank account information and your personal identity information.” For more information on frauds and scams please visit www.antifraudcentre.ca.

Assault

• On the 19th of March police were advised of a dispute on McKay St. in the City of Pembroke. As a result 20 year old Kassya Godard has been charged with Assault contrary to the Criminal Code. P/C Wayne Desjardins is the investigating officer.

Shoplifting

On the 20th of March police were advised of a shoplifting complaint from Mac’s Convenience Store on Pembroke St. East in the City of Pembroke. P/C John Kirbyson is the investigating officer. The investigation is continuing.

Theft from Motor Vehicle

On the 21st of March a DC brand backpack was stolen from a vehicle that had been parked at the Pembroke Mall in the City of Pembroke. A variety of property was in the back pack including speakers, clothing and perfume. P/C Jack Gibson is the investigating officer. The public is reminded to remove all valuables and or lock unattended vehicles.

Vehicle Entered

P/C John Kirbyson is the investigating officer in a report in which a vehicle was entered and its contents were ransacked on Everett St. in the City of Pembroke. Nothing appears to have been stolen. The report was filed on the 22nd of March.

The public is reminded to remove all valuables and or lock unattended vehicles.

Mischief

• On the 16th of March while on patrol Sgt. Smith investigated damage to the concrete support for the train track in the area of Bennett Street and Everett Street in the City of Pembroke. As a result 35 year old Travis Becker has been charged with Mischief under $ 5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code.

• P/C Jon Libby is the investigating officer in a report of vandalism to a window at Champlain Discovery Public School on Bell St. in the City of Pembroke. The report was filed on the 19th of March.

• On the 20th of March a complaint was filed of a dispute on Paul Martin Drive in the City of Pembroke. The investigation is continuing. P/C Peter Spital is the investigating officer.

If anyone has any information concerning these crimes please contact the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Domestic Disputes

During the week of the 16th to the 22nd of March members of the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment investigated 15 domestic disputes. As a result one adult male was charged with Uttering Threats – Damage Property and Mischief Under $ 5,000 contrary to the Criminal Code.

Distracted Driving

Even though the recent distracted driving campaign that ran from the 14th to the 20th of March has concluded, officers will continue to focus on this problem. 23 distracted related charges were laid during the campaign.

• Be mindful that distracted driving poses a significant threat to the well-being of your family and friends;

• Start conversations about distracted driving with your family, your friends, your colleagues and shed the negative light on it that it deserves;

• If you are in a vehicle being driven by someone who is driving while distracted, always speak up. Be firm and say: “Enough! Too many people are dying because of distracted driving. It needs to stop and you need to stop”. Make this your new attitude every day.

• If you see someone driving in a dangerous manner while driving distracted, call 9-1-1 to report them.

• Be self-disciplined every time you get behind the wheel; do not allow yourself to be distracted in any way while you are driving.

Crime Stoppers Pembroke/Renfrew County believes that someone may have information that could assist police in solving these crimes. If you have information on any of these criminal offences that results in charges being laid, you qualify for an award of up to $2,000.00. Call Pembroke/Renfrew County Crime Stoppers at 735-8477 that is 735-Tips or you can reach us at 1-800-222-8477. You could help solve a crime. All tips remain anonymous and you will not have to attend court. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Our telephones are answered 24 hours a day. Please visit us at our new website www.valleytips.ca.

The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP would like to thank the volunteers from Victim Services of Renfrew County for the support provided to victims of crimes and tragic circumstances in our communities. Services provided to victims include ensure victims receive immediate support and assistance, provide referrals to appropriate community support services, and offer practical solutions to lessen the impact of a crisis. The service is based on the concept of Neighbours helping Neighbours. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with VCARS, please call 613-649-2852 or 1-877-568-5730 for more information.

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