POLICE BEAT: Be cautious when making donations

By Erin Perkins

Grand Forks RCMP caution local residents when donating money to unknown charities. A suspicious incident and an increase of reports for fraudulant solicitations have occured in this area over the past few weeks.

On Tuesday, April 10 at 3:32 p.m. police were called out to a business on 2nd Street in Grand Forks after the business owner was approached by three Filipino women between the ages of 30 and 40 looking for donations to help flood victims of the December 2011 incident in the Philippines that killed hundreds of people.

"We are unsure if they were legitimate or they were collecting money for themselves," said Grand Forks RCMP staff sergeant Jim Harrison. "They may or may not be on the up and up."

The incident coincidentally coincides with increased reports of telephone solicitations coming from Jamaica telling the person they've called that they won a lottery prize but have to send money to receive it, said Harrison.

"There have been people in town who have been victimized," said Harrison, adding seniors are the most vulnerable.

"We're cautioning people that if it is too good to be true, like the old adage says, it is. A bona fide contest won't ask for money. A fool and his money is soon parted, so don't be a fool."

Stereo system stolen from GFSS compound, vehicle damaged on street

A 1981 Cobra Mustang was broken into while parked at the Grand Forks Secondary School shop compound earlier this month.

A Pioneer stereo along with the parts like the subspeakers and amplifier were stolen from the Mustang over the one to two week period it was parked in the compound. The theft was discovered on Tuesday, April 10 at 10:19 a.m.

Harrison believes it was done over the Easter break. The suspect cut the fence surrounding the compound. The vehicle was owned by a Grand Forks resident.

On Sunday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m. the owner of a 2004 Ford Focus reported that the windows of the vehicle had been smashed out while parked on 75th Avenue in Grand Forks.

Police have no supects or witnesses in either incident. If you have any information, please contact the Grand Forks RCMP at 250-442-8288 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Boat and motorcycle targeted theft

Two individual incidents involving a boat and a motorcycle have left Grand Forks RCMP a bit puzzled.

On Monday, April 16 at 10:57 a.m. police were called out to Davy Road where a cargo storage Sea Can had been broken into and a 1983 Honda motorcycle had been stolen.

The thief had used bold cutters to release the chain and lock from the door. The person couldn't start the motorcycle without a key, so they had pushed it down the road, said Harrison.

Police later recovered the Honda abandoned on London Road in Grand Forks. There had been no damage done to the bike and no witnesses or suspects to help piece together the story.

On the same day at 4:56 p.m. the theft of a 1987 Lund Aluminum boat and trailer was reported from Well Road in Grand Forks. The trailer was later found on Reservoir Road but without the boat. Police are asking for the public's help in apprehending the suspect or suspects in these unusual incidents.

An accident of unknown causes

A Maple Ridge man has been charged with failing to confine his vehicle to the right side of the road after rolling down a 50 foot (15.24 meters) embankment. The incident happened on Highway 3 between Hillview Road and Sleepy Hollow Road in Grand Forks on Monday, April 16 at 10:57 a.m. The driver, for some unknown reason, lost control of his 2000 green Pontiac, crossed over into the other lane and rolled down the embankment.

"He could not explain why the accident occurred," said Harrison, adding that neither could the witnesses.

Alcohol was not a factor. Harrison said it is possible the driver fell asleep. The driver sustained only cuts and bruises from the incident.

Cusack psych report postponed to May 8

Christopher James Cusack, the 47 year-old Grand Forks man charged with two counts of arson endangering life in connection with the fires at the Grand Forks Hotel and the Winnipeg Hotel, is set to appear in court May 8.

The accused appeared in Rossland Courthouse on Thursday, April 12, via video conference. He was supposed to have his psychiatric assessment completed by then but has had the deadline extended until Wednesday, April 25. He is set to appear in the Nelson court on Tuesday, May 8 via video conference with his completed psychiatric assessment.

Cusack could face a maximum penalty of life in prison, should he be convicted. No plea has been made.

Grand Forks Hotel was completely destroyed by the fires that consumed it on March 7 and the Winnipeg Hotel has sustained smoke damage. About 20 people were reportedly displaced by the fire.