Friday, July 7, 2006

BEWARE Short change scam!

On the 6th of July officers attended at the Rona Hardware Store at the Market Mall located at 275 Second Line West and learned that two persons had been involved in this incident. Early last evening a male and female attended at the store, purchased a small priced item and produced a $100 bill. The clerk provided the change from the purchase. The male customer then asked for a number of $100 bills to be exchanged for smaller bills. During the exchange of money the male became very vocal and put pressure on the clerk. After the male and female left the clerk discovered that they had become a victim of this scam.

The male suspect is described as being in his med 40’s, taller than 5’8”, heavy set with a big stomach and had short grey hair cut in a brush cut style. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a pattern on it, dark brownish shorts and sandals. The female is described as being in her late 30’s, around 5’8” tall, skinny build with brown hair that may have been pulled up into a bun. She was wearing a light coloured shirt sleeved t-shirt and light coloured shorts.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is advising local businesses to be aware of these suspects. If you have been a victim of this scam contact the City Police at 949-6300. If you were a customer in the store yesterday when this occurred and witnessed the incident also contact the City Police.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would also remind managers and storeowners to talk to their staff about this crime. Suspects in the matter usually approached young looking or inexperienced staff. The suspects will ask for change for a large bill and when that has been completed they will then produce more large bills asking for smaller bills in exchange. As the clerk is counting out the money the suspect will become very vocal by arguing or being demanding, adding pressure to a clerk who is already counting out money. The suspect may move the money around if it is on the counter and say that they are putting out another large bill when indeed they have just moved one around.

For further information on how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of this crime contact the Community Services Section of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300 ext. 333

Domestic Disturbance

A 29-year old male will appear in bail court this morning. It is alleged that on the 7th of July shortly after 2 am the accused and his common law wife got into an argument. It is alleged that the accused chased the victim from their address and the victim fled to a nearby home. It is further alleged that the accused kicked open the door of the residence the victim entered, grabbed a knife and approached his common law wife in an aggressive manner. Officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service responded to the call. It is alleged that the accused failed to listen to the officer’s requests to drop the knife and as a result the accused was tasered. The accused was taken into custody without further incident and no one was harmed in the incident. The accused has been charged with one count of assault with a weapon, one count of resist arrest and one count of break and enter and commit an offence.

Impaired Driver

23-year old Ami-Lee Marchand of 378 Goulais Avenue was arrested just before 1 am this morning and charged with one count of impaired driving and one count of consume over the legal limit. It is alleged that the accused was traveling westbound on Henrietta Avenue and failed to stop for a stop sign at Farwell Terrace. The accused was stopped by patrol officers who observed this and was subsequently arrested. She will appear in court on August 14th.

Mischief
20-year old Marty Hunter of 14 Gladstone Avenue South was arrested last evening and charged with one count of mischief under $5,000. It is alleged that the accused attended at an address and punched in a porch window of the residence belonging to a person known to the accused. The accused will appear in court on August 14th.

Two Break & Enters

Yesterday morning officers from Patrol Services attended at an address on Gordon Avenue for a break and enter to a garage. Sometime within the last week the garage was entered. It is unknown at this time if anything was taken.

Yesterday morning a homeowner on Letcher Street reported that their home had been entered overnight. The residence was rummaged through but it does not appear that anything was taken.

Bikes For Kids

Officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s Community Services Section will be joining members from Sault Cycling Club and Canadian Tire’s Jump Start Program this afternoon for the “Bikes for Kids” project, which will take place at the Soup Kitchen Community Centre, starting at 1 pm today. This afternoon 14 lucky children, whose families are not able to afford the luxury of buying them a bike, will receive a brand new bike. Officers from the Community Service Section will spend some time with the youths instructing them on safety rules when riding their bikes. The message from the Service will include how to properly use turn signals, the rules of the road as well as the importance of wearing helmets when riding their bikes. Officers will also register the bikes for the families. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is pleased to have been asked by the Sault Cycling Club to participate in this worthwhile project. The smiles on the kid’s faces will certainly be worth seeing.