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Police Briefs: Crash sends two to hospital

Winter driving conditions were a factor in a crash that occurred this past Saturday evening in the first snowstorm of the season.

Winter driving conditions were a factor in a crash that occurred this past Saturday evening in the first snowstorm of the season.

Lacombe fire crews responded to a motor vehicle collision on the QEII just as stormy conditions were starting to settle around Lacombe.

Fire Chief Ed van Delden said a northbound minivan slipped through the median and was struck by a semitrailer which was traveling southbound.

Two people who sustained serious injuries were transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital and a third was treated at the scene.

No one else was involved in the collision.

VEHICLE FIRE DEEMED SUSPICIOUS

Early in the morning of Nov. 9th, Lacombe Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire outside of town.

A pickup truck with its wheels removed was found burning parked behind some grain bins.

Fire Chief Ed van Delden said vehicle fires typically burn quite intensely, so by the time crews arrived, the truck had mostly burned itself out.

“There wasn’t a lot of smoke and fire when we arrived,” said van Delden.

He added the truck was not near enough to the grain bins that they were in danger of being damaged by the blaze.

However, van Delden said the fact the burning truck was discovered without its wheels in a semi-remote location was suspicious. He added that RCMP are investigating the case further.

STOLEN VEHICLE FOUND UNOCCUPIED

On Nov. 6th at about 1:24 a.m. after attempting to identify a vehicle and driver involved in a traffic violation, Lacombe Police Service members located the vehicle in the Parkland Acres area where the vehicle had run off the road and collided with a storage shed causing extensive damage to the shed and house at that location, police said.

The vehicle also sustained extensive damage.

The vehicle was found to be unoccupied with the driver having fled the scene.

Lacombe Fire-Rescue Services attended to assist with the fire hazard potential while the vehicle was removed.

Further investigation determined the vehicle, which is a Black Cadillac Escalade, had been reported stolen out of the Stettler area.

Police have not identified the person responsible and are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact the Lacombe Police Service at 403-782-3279, their local police department or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

REMINDER TO SAFEGUARD VEHICLES

The Lacombe Police Service would like to send out an advisory regarding recent motor vehicle thefts.

Thus far in 2014, 44 vehicles have been reported stolen within the City of Lacombe.

Pick-up trucks, particularly the FORD ‘F’ series are the most often targeted vehicle, representing two-thirds of all thefts.

Police would like to remind residents to take precautions when leaving their vehicles unattended.

Locking your vehicle and storing it in a locked garage or compound is often the easiest way to prevent these types of thefts.

Unlocked vehicles also present an easy opportunity for thieves to steal valuables from inside the vehicle so police encourage residents to take the time and ensure all valuables are removed each night.

Police are asking residents in all areas of the city to report any suspicious person(s), vehicle(s) or unusual activity to Police.

RCMP WARN OF SCAM

Blackfalds RCMP would like to warn the public about the ‘Grandparent scam’ that is still targeting seniors in the area.

A call is placed to an older person where the caller claims to be a family member, often a grandchild, of the victim.

The caller will then state that he or she is in some kind of trouble, usually in jail (or sometimes stranded) and needs money to pay for bail.

These fraud artists are very convincing and will often have a name that matches a family member of the victim’s.

Callers then pressure the victim to send money via Western Union or in some cases buy merchant cards and drop them off at a certain location.

Fraud artists will put time limits on the assistance to reduce the ability to call other family members. In one case the fraud artist asked for $10,000.

The numbers that may come up on the phone are spoofed and when traced or called back are not legitimate.

There is no police service/force that would solicit money like this for bail on a person.

If an older person gets a call that is ‘weird’ they are encouraged to call a family member or call the RCMP.