Members of the LaSalle Police Service, working from Monday July 20th to Sunday July 26th, were kept busy responding to 404 calls for service and activities including:
26 – Emergency 911 Calls
1 – Alarm
1 – Assault Complaint
2 – Assist Ambulance
4 – Assist Other Police Service
5 – By-Law Complaints
103 – Directed Patrols
1 – Domestic Dispute
5 – Driving & Traffic Complaints
3 – Family Disputes
4 – Frauds
5 – Impaired Driving Complaints
1 – Mental Health Act
2 – Mischief Complaints
7 – Motor Vehicle Collisions
71 – Property Checks
11 – Suspicious Activity
3 – Thefts
86 – Traffic Stops & Vehicle Checks
5 – Wellness Checks
3 – COVID-19 related calls
July 20th
Theft under $5000
On Monday, July 20th, 2020, at approximately 4:00 PM, officers were dispatched to Zehrs Great Food with regards to a theft in progress. The loss prevention officer for Zehrs advised that a female was observed emptying over the counter medications into her purse and discarding the packaging. She paid for some of her purchases but made no attempt to pay for the items concealed in her purse. LaSalle Police Officers and the loss prevention officer placed the female under arrest for theft under $5000 as she exited the store.
July 21st
Stunt Driving
An officer was stationed at the intersection of Highway 3 and Todd Lane monitoring traffic travelling east and west bound on Highway 3. A vehicle was observed travelling at a speed of 128km/h in a posted 60km/h zone. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was served with a Part III Summons for “Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt – Speeding by 50 or more km/h.” The drivers’ license was also seized and suspended for a period of seven days and the vehicle was towed and impounded for a period of seven days.
Suspicious Circumstances
Just before 1:00 PM an Officer attended a residence on Seven Lakes Drive in regards to a suspicious circumstance. The reporting person advised that, via his surveillance system, he observed a female attend his front porch and look through a bin on his front porch used to receive deliveries. There was nothing contained within and the female left empty handed. This is the second such incident that this resident has reported this year. The first occurred in April with very similar circumstances. From the video footage it appears that it is two different individuals. The female in this latest incident is described as Caucasian, red curly hair and wearing a dark coloured jacket, black leggings and sandals. She was last seen walking east on Seven Lakes Drive. No theft or criminal offence was committed however police would like to speak with this individual to ascertain their intentions and the reason for the actions. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the LaSalle Police Service at 519 969-5210.
July 22nd
Fraud
The LaSalle Police Service regularly receives reports of frauds that have taken place or that were attempted, via email or phone. On this day a resident called to inform us that he received a call from “Microsoft”, at 1-691-780-5370, who told him that they had managed to identify that he was having problems with his computer and wanted to gain access to his computer to help fix it. The reporting person immediately knew that the call was a scam, hung up the phone and called police. The male told the communicator that he would then be filing a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
If you receive such calls but provide no information to the scammers it is not necessary to contact the police unless you are a victim of fraud. You are always welcome to contact us to report or for advice or you may report such nuisance and fraudulent calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
July 23rd
Theft from Motor Vehicles: Gabrieau Street
LOCK IT OR LOSE IT.
The LaSalle Police Service received reports of three vehicles that were entered overnight between July 22nd and July 23rd in the area of Gabrieau Street in LaSalle. In two of the instances the vehicles had been left unlocked and items were stolen from within.
When the footage was reviewed, one suspect can be seen riding a bike northbound on Harrison then westbound onto Gabrieau at 1:27 AM. The cyclist rode directly onto residence. A few minutes go by as the cyclist leaves and then comes back, then leaving with a bag in their possession southbound on Harrison towards the Sixth Concession. Video footage provided to the officer revealed a vehicle described as a white four door sedan that was circling the neighborhood around 1:30 am. It is unknown at this time if this vehicle was involved in this occurrence. The investigation continuing.
Help us reduce crime and criminal opportunity in our community. The LaSalle Police Service is urging all residents to lock their cars. Thieves will operate in any area of our community where there is opportunity. Thieves will perform ‘car-hopping’, a process of stealing valuables from multiple vehicles in the same area, quickly moving from one vehicle to another. Thieves look for accessible marks, such as cars with unlocked doors or convertibles with the top down. Once valuables are stolen they are quickly pawned off or sold.
It’s all about prevention. Locking your car doors may be the difference on whether your items are stolen or not. It’s one of the simplest and most important actions you can take to prevent theft
If you see or hear anything suspicious – say something. Call the LaSalle Police Service at any time for assistance 519-969-5210 or 911 if it’s an emergency.
Crime Prevention Techniques – Preventing theft from Vehicles
– Remove the ignition keys and lock your doors
– Roll up your windows
– Avoid parking in dimly lit or isolated areas
– ALWAYS remove all valuables from plain view inside your vehicle such as wallets, purses, briefcases, backpacks, gym bags, cell phones, laptops, etc. while you are parked overnight, at home, school or at work.
– Remove any documents in your vehicle which identify where you live – your home might be the thieves’ next target
– Don’t hide any spare keys inside or under your vehicle – thieves know just where to look
– Take a picture of your car with the plate number and VIN number
– ALWAYS report suspicious individuals immediately who appear to be looking into vehicles or trying door handles in neighborhoods or business areas to see if they are unlocked.
Call LaSalle Police at 519 969-5210 to report any suspicious activity. Calling immediately significantly increases our ability to locate the potential offender.
#LockitupLaSalle
July 24th
Canada Shipping Act
On this day police were dispatched for a report of a minor marine collision that had occurred the previous day. Two males had launched their personal watercraft from the municipal boat ramp in LaSalle. The duo were heading north in the Detroit River past the north end of Fighting Island when they both accelerated and maneuvered. One of the vessels had completed a maneuver and stopped while awaiting the other. The vessel had stopped in the path of the other and a collision occurred. No injuries were reported however one of the vessels sustained significant damage and began to sink. The vessel was towed back to the ramp by the other involved vessel. Vessel operators must always be aware of their surroundings before making any movement or alteration in their course. This collision could have had a very different outcome and both operators are fortunate to not have been injured. Please be cautious and ALWAYS wear your PFD!
July 25th
Alcohol Related Driver’s Licence Suspension
At approximately 10:00 PM, an officer stopped a motor vehicle on Morton Drive to check the drivers sobriety. The officer observed the vehicle weaving within its lane. While speaking with the driver the officer could smell alcohol on his breath and demanded a breath sample.
The driver registered an “Alert” and as a result his drivers licence was suspended for a period of three days. The driver was will have to have his drivers licence reinstated with the Ministry of Transportation for a fee of $281.00. The driver was also cautioned for other Highway Traffic Act offences.
July 26th
Mischief / Vandalism to a Vehicle
Officers were summoned to the 400 block of Jewel for a report that someone had slashed a tire on a vehicle which was parked at a residence. The vehicle had not been used for a couple of days and the exact time frame is unknown. The reporting person could not understand why their vehicle was targeted as they have not had any issues with anyone. If you have any information with regards to this incident please contact the LaSalle Police Service at 519 969-5210.
LaSalle Police Service Urging Drivers to Slow Down.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to save a life? What if we told you that you could potentially do just that with this one simple step? Slow Down.
The LaSalle Police Service is sending a message to drivers to slow down. LaSalle Police Officers continuously patrol our community on the lookout for everything from criminal to traffic offences in an effort to provide a safe and enjoyable place to live, work and visit.
An ongoing effort to address traffic concerns has seen the LaSalle Police Service issue 24 Part III Summonses for performing a stunt while operating a motor vehicle since the beginning of the year, among other traffic offences. 23 of those summonses were issued for exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more and one of the summonses was for driving with a passenger in the trunk of the vehicle. This vehicle was also stopped for speeding 31 km/h over the speed limit.
The highest speed recorded during this time frame was 153 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone which equates to 73 km/h over the speed limit.
Just last week alone, there were three drivers summonsed for this offence.
Some may inquire how speeding alone would be considered a stunt. Section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act addresses of number of situations that would be defined as a stunt and includes exceeding the posted speed limit by 50km/h or more.
Anyone charged with performing a stunt under Section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act will receive a Part III Summons and will be required to attend court to answer to the charge.
Every person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and in addition his or her driver’s licence may be suspended,
(a) on a first conviction under this section, for not more than two years; or
(b) on a subsequent conviction under this section, for not more than 10 years.
Additionally the driver’s licence will be immediately suspended for a period of seven days. The driver must then pay a reinstatement fee of $281.00 to the Ministry of Transportation.
The involved vehicle will be towed and impounded for a period of seven days at the owner’s expense and this doesn’t include any potential increases to your insurance premiums which are likely to increase exponentially if you are convicted.
Speeding and aggressive driving can have serious consequences for us all and life can change in the blink of an eye. Every kilometer per hour that you travel faster than the posted speed limit increases your stopping distances, decreases your vehicles maneuverability and statistically increases the mortality rate during a collision.
Don’t overestimate your ability to operate your vehicle at high speeds. Slow down, it may save a life.