The following is a summary of police activity in the Central Plains Area (Portage la Prairie, Treherne, Amaranth and the surrounding Rural Municipalities). The reporting dates are between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30, 2016. During this time period police responded to: 340 calls for service

VANDALS STRIKE REPUBLIC PARK
Police are seeking anyone with knowledge of who caused damage to the soccer fields at Republic of Manitobah Park on Oct. 30. A vehicle was used to rip up wet turf, causing damages that will need to be repaired before the fields are used again in spring. Damage such as this is costly to those who pay annual fees to use the park, and causes unnecessary grief for property management. People caught driving vehicles in this reckless manner can be subject to license reviews, and held both criminally and civilly liable for damages. If you have information that can help police with their investigation, contact your local police detachment. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

BEAR SPRAY ATTACKS
Portage la Prairie RCMP want to advise all residents to keep their personal safety in mind should they find someone in their vehicle or home. Just before midnight on Oct. 28, a resident on Tupper Street N was sprayed with what was believed to be “bear spray”, after finding an unknown male suspect in their vehicle. The victim was treated for exposure, but was otherwise unharmed. Your safety is not guaranteed when coming in contact with these unpredictable people, which is why an immediate call to the police is the safest bet. Providing police with a good description of the suspect, any vehicle they might be using, and their direction of travel will go a long way to getting them captured. No piece of property is worth an injury or loss of life.

At 5:15 AM Portage la Prairie RCMP received a reports of another use of “bear spray” on 12th Street NW on Oct. 29. Residents of a home were treated for exposure after a window was broken and the inside of the home was sprayed. Multiple people were seen outside the residence prior to the assault, but none have been identified at this time. Investigators are asking for the assistance of the community in identifying suspects. If you have information that can help police with their investigation, contact your local police detachment. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

VEHCILE COLLISIONS
Just before 4:00 p.m. on Oct. 24, Portage la Prairie emergency services responded to a two-vehicle collision on Hwy 1 at Hwy 13, north of Oakville. Police, Fire and EMS arrived on scene to find a Ford Focus car having been struck by a Ford F-150 truck in the eastbound lanes of traffic. Witnesses to the incident advised that prior to the collision, the car had been waiting in the median of traffic, turning south towards Oakville. Everyone involved was treated for minor, non-life threatening injuries at Portage General Hospital. The car's male driver, 22, was charged for proceeding before safe to do so, and fined $175.30 for having caused the collision.

Treherne RCMP are investigating a collision at the St Claude School Oct. 24. The suspect vehicle fled the scene after hitting another in the parking lot. Investigators are hoping to identify this vehicle, as it was seen at several other locations in the area. If you have information that can help police with their investigation, contact your local police detachment.

On Oct 28, shortly before 8:00 a.m. Portage la Prairie emergency services attended to a single vehicle collision on Hwy 1 at PR 305. A car had struck the light standard at the intersection, causing delays for morning traffic in the eastbound lanes. Police initially came in contact with the vehicle when it was observed travelling at 180 km/h in the westbound lanes of traffic. Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver did not stop, choosing instead to continue on until they lost control and struck the light standard. A male driver, 16, and a male passenger, 16, were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and various Highway Traffic Act offences. Both were given a conditional release, and are set to appear in Portage Court at a later date.

Just after 8:00 p.m., on Oct. 28 Portage la Prairie emergency services responded to a two vehicle collision on Hwy 1 near Bagot. Police were informed moments before the collision that a vehicle had been seen driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic. Unfortunately the drivers of both vehicles were killed as a result of the collision; there were no other occupants in either vehicle. The incident is still under investigation, as all factors leading to the collision are still unknown.

IMPAIRED DRIVER CAUGHT
While patrolling the area of 9th Street NW and 4th Avenue NW on Oct. 25, officers observed a SUV driving in an erratic manner and at a high rate of speed. Once officers came in contact with the female driver, 30, they quickly determined she was under the influence of alcohol and drug. The driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, taken into police custody. The driver provided breath samples over double the legal limit, and was found to be in possession of a significant amount of marihuana. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 60 days at the owner’s expense.

CAR FIRE
Portage la Prairie emergency services were called to a car on fire in the RM of Portage la Prairie Oct .26. The vehicle, a stolen Ford Taurus, was abandoned on Road 71N near Macdonald. The vehicle will be examined for forensic evidence in an attempt to identify those involved. Investigators are asking that anyone with knowledge of this incident contact their local police detachment.

SPEEDY DRIVING
On Oct. 27, a motorist was observed travelling at 108 km/h in a 70 km/h zone in Saskatchewan Avenue E in Portage la Prairie. The 82-year-old female driver was issued a fine in the amount of 548.25.

A motorist was observed travelling at 137 km/h in a 100 km/h zone of Hwy 2 near Treherne on Oct. 29. The male motorist, 51, was issued a fine in the amount of $535.00.

On Oct. 30 a motorist was observed travelling at 151 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy 1. The female driver, 28, was issued a fine in the amount of $718.25.

A motorist was observed travelling at 143 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy 1 on Oct. 30 . The vehicle was also found to be unregistered, and have not insurance in place. The female driver, 52, was charged for speeding, driving and unregistered vehicle, and having no liability insurance. The fines issued as a result totalled $1586.30.

POT TRAFFICKING ARREST
A call of an erratic driver on Hwy 1 resulted in an arrest for trafficking marihuana on Oct. 27. Approximately 2.3 lbs of marihuana was seized after the driver and passenger of the vehicle were taken into custody. The accused is believed to hold a valid Health Canada Authorization to possess marihuana for medical purposes, for a quantity of 150 grams, or 1/6 of what was allegedly in his possession at the time of his arrest. The accused, a 24 year old male from Winnipeg, was released from police custody, set to appear in Portage Court at a later date.
If you have any information that could lend assistance in the investigation of these crimes or others, please contact your local RCMP, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

CALLS FOR SERVICE SUMMARY
Oct. 24: 27 calls for service
Oct. 25: 38 calls for service
Oct. 26: 22 calls for service
Oct. 27: 54 calls for service
Oct. 28: 61 calls for service
Oct. 29: 59 calls for service
Oct. 30: 79 calls for service

-153 Traffic violations
-145 Traffic Offences (Highway Traffic Act)
-3 Vehicle Collisions
-5 Impaired Drivers
-40 Provincial statues (Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Coroner’s Act, 911 Act, etc.)
-14 Crimes against person
-6 Assaults
-4 Assault with Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm
-4 Uttering Threats
-35 Crimes against property
-11 Thefts
-2 Theft of Motor Vehicles
-3 Break and Enters
-19 Mischiefs to Property
-42 Other Criminal Investigations
-56 Other Police Activities (False Alarms, Suspicious Person/Vehicle, Assistance Given, etc.)