Annapolis RCMP deal with a bear at the bus stop, joyride on the 201

In a busier-than-usual week May 15-21, Annapolis District RCMP were called to deal with a black bear at the bus stop, a joyriding youth in a stolen truck, a dog in the river and vehicle breakins in Bridgetown.

Officers also conducted numerous checkstops and stopped more than a dozen speeders. By the end of the week, RCMP had dealt with about 150 calls. The following are some of the highlights of the week:

(Note: Due to the sensitive nature of cases concerning sexual assault, children’s welfare and mental health issues, not all calls are considered appropriate for publication.)

-- May 15 at 10:33 a.m. in Wilmot. Police received a complaint of a suspicious person on the Old Mill Road wearing a black coat, a black hat, and a backpack. The person appeared to be confused. Police went to the scene but were unable to locate the person. There is a bus stop nearby and it is highly likely this was somebody waiting for the bus.

-- May 15 at 11:04 a.m. in Bridgetown. Police were advised of a theft from a vehicle in Bridgetown. A GPS unit was taken. The theft is under investigation. Later, police received two more complaints of thefts from vehicles in Bridgetown. In the second complaint, the person’s identification cards were taken. All were found on a path between properties – except for the social insurance card.

-- May 15 at 2:36 p.m. in Bridgetown. Police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 101 at Bridgetown. The driver was charged and, if found guilty, will pay a fine of $237.50. Annapolis RCMP stopped 14 other speeders throughout the county during the week. There were 17 other traffic violations issued by police during the week ranging from dangerous driving to passing unsafely, and failing to obey traffic signs.

-- May 15 at 4:21 p.m. in Granville Ferry. Police stopped a vehicle and charged the driver with failing to operate a motor vehicle in a careful and prudent manner. The man will appear in court at a later date.

-- May 15 at 8:41 p.m. in Cornwallis Park. Police were called to a complaint of impaired driving in Cornwallis Park. Police patrolled and located the vehicle with two people in it. The newly-licenced driver and the passenger both had alcohol on their breath and were both charged. They will attend court at a later date. The passenger was the ‘responsible licenced driver’ so neither can be intoxicated.

-- May 16 at 10:14 a.m. in Lawrencetown. Police were called to a complaint of an unwanted person at a business in Lawrencetown. The person was verbally abusive, aggressive and refused to leave. Police attended but the person had already left. The suspect is known to police but the complainant does not want to proceed with any charges.

-- May 16 at 4:48 p.m. in Round Hill. Police received a complaint of a stolen vehicle. The complainant had parked his truck next to the train tracks while fishing and returned to find the vehicle missing. Police went to the area and located the vehicle travelling east on Highway 201. The vehicle was stopped without incident and the male driver was charged with theft of a vehicle. The driver is a youth and has also been charged with driving without a licence and will appear in court at a later date.

-- May 16 at 9:18 p.m. in Bear River. Police received a complaint of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle is a black 2012 Jeep Wrangler. It was taken sometime between 6:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. on May 16. The stolen vehicle was added to the Canadian Police Information Centre database and local RCMP members were advised of the theft and the vehicle description.

-- May 17 at 6:27 a.m. in Springfield. Police were called to a single-vehicle crash with injuries. Paramedics attended and transported the driver to South Shore Regional Hospital.

-- May 17 at 7:46 a.m. in South Williamston. Police received a complaint of a large black bear in a neighbour’s yard on Highway 201. It was near where children were waiting for a school bus. Police went to the scene but did not find the bear. The children were able to get on the school bus without incident. The information was passed on to Natural Resources.

-- May 18 at 4:07 p.m. in South Williamston. Police were called to a report of an abandoned vehicle. It was found in the woods near the 201 Highway. There were some liquids leaking from the vehicle. Police went to the location and noted that there was a message left on the windshield that said ‘please do not tow, will have towed tomorrow.’ The serial number was checked and it was determined that the vehicle was not stolen. Police contacted the owner of the vehicle and arrangements were made to have it towed.

-- May 18 at 4:32 p.m. in Bridgetown. Police, while on patrol, came across a motor vehicle crash. A single vehicle had attempted to exit Highway 101 at Exit 20 when steering and brakes locked up, causing the vehicle to skid off the highway and into the ditch. There were no injuries and no signs of impairment.

-- May 18 at 6:28 p.m. in Port Lorne. Police conducted a checkstop on Shore Road. Fourteen vehicles were checked and there were no infractions. Police conducted 28 additional checkstops in the county throughout the week.

-- May 18 at 6:50 p.m. in Cornwallis Park. Police were advised of a phone scam in which the caller identified themselves as being with the Canada Revenue Agency and requested the complainant to sign into their online banking account and provide access information. The complainant did provide access to the caller but felt the call to be suspicious and contacted police. Police advised the complainant to contact their bank immediately and advise them of the situation. They were also advised to contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Agency.

-- May 19 at 10:46 p.m. in Granville Beach. Police were called about a missing person. Police went to the location and learned that a male had left his residence on an ATV but did not return. A short time after receiving the call, police received another call that the person had returned home safe and sound.