On Nov. 14 and 15, Alberta sheriffs conducted an early morning traffic enforcement project in response to public complaints. During the course of the project, the sheriffs issued approximately 60 tickets for traffic-related offences, including speeding and others. The project was conducted between 4:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Highway 27 west of town and in town.
“The majority of those tickets were for speeding on Highway 27,” said Olds RCMP Cpl. Jay Peden.
In one instance, a ticket was issued to a driver who came to a stop at a red light and then proceeded through it, in plain sight of a police car.
“The general public needs to be aware that it does not matter what time of the day it is, we will start at looking at doing more proactive reinforcement,” said Peden.
Drive-thru offences
On Nov. 11 at 2:20 a.m., the RCMP was dispatched to a fight in progress at the Olds McDonald's drive-thru.
“We were advised that there were approximately 20 people gathered in the area. Upon arrival, it was determined that one man had been assaulted,” said Peden.
A 22-year-old man from Olds has been charged with assault. He is scheduled to attend court on Dec. 19 in Didsbury.
On Nov. 12 at about 1:30 a.m., the RCMP received a call about a group of males pulling down their pants while sitting on cars and walking through the Olds McDonald's drive-thru. The RCMP attended and located a group of men. Alcohol was a factor. A 20-year-old man from Olds has been charged under the municipal bylaw of causing a disturbance and was given a specified fine.
RCMP looking for stolen car
Police are still on the lookout for a stolen 2002 blue Dodge Dakota.
The vehicle was stolen on 47 Street in Olds on Nov. 8 about 8 a.m.
More than a week later, on Nov. 17, the owner saw the truck and contacted the RCMP.
When the vehicle was located on 57 Avenue at 50 Street, the driver failed to stop.
“Given the weather and the road condition, we did not engage in a pursuit. We took the public safety in consideration,” said Peden.
The investigation is ongoing. The truck has the Alberta licence plate HAM 921.
“If the public sees a blue Dodge Dakota with that licence plate, they should give us a call,” said Peden.
Break and enters
There were three break and enters in the commercial area on Imperial Way and on 47 Avenue in the early morning hours of Nov. 8. In the 47 Avenue break and enter, the fence was cut to gain access to a locked compound.
“One of the break and enters was into the Frito-Lay trailer. A few bags of chips were stolen,” said Peden.
“The second one was in the same compound. It is unsure what was taken.”
The third break and enter occurred at the Tire Shop/Fortis compound. It is unknown if anything was taken.
“We assume that they are all linked, since they happened on the same night and the same general area,” said Peden.
Vehicle seizure
On Nov. 11 at about 8:30 a.m., a sheriff with the Innisfail Integrated Traffic Services Unit engaged in a traffic stop. A 26-year-old Calgary male driver was charged with driving while suspended. After the traffic stop was engaged, further investigations determined that it was the second suspension for the driver.
“Subsequently, his vehicle is seized for a period of 60 days,” said Peden.
“The reason why the vehicle was seized for 60 days is because it was the driver's second charge of driving while unauthorized,” said Peden.
“Therefore, under provincial legislation, it initially starts at a 30-day seizure and then it goes to a 60-day seizure.”
The driver has a court date on Jan. 16, 2012 in Red Deer.
