Saskatoon

Rosetown crime reports show break and enters, thefts

​The RCMP have provided the media with crime reports from the area surrounding Rosetown, Sask. Last month, farmers said they were carrying rifles because they feared for their safety.

Rural crime issue has become heated, some farmers carrying firearms

The owner of these guns farms in west-central Saskatchewan, and tells CBC this non-restriced 7.62 Russian SKS and Mossberg shotgun ride with him and his father in their combines. (Submitted by Rosetown-area farmer)

​The RCMP have provided the media with crime reports from the area surrounding Rosetown, Sask. Last month, farmers said they were carrying rifles because they feared for their safety.  

The issue of rural crime became heated after a farmhand near Fiske, Sask., was allegedly approached by three masked men carrying handguns on a rural road on Sept. 19. 

Some farmers said they had started carrying firearms during their harvest, saying rural crime had spiked in the past few years.

On Wednesday, the Rosetown RCMP released crime reports that show the numbers and types of crimes reported between Sept. 15 — 29. 

Some producers in the area say they are now carrying firearms during harvest following what is thought to have been the attempted robbery of a farmhand near Fiske, Sask. (Submitted by Rosetown-area farmer)

The police reports outline a number of thefts on rural properties and reports of people rummaging through cars. 

Rosetown Detachment Commander Sgt. Jason Waldner emphasized the majority of those vehicles were left unlocked. 

Police, through local media, issued public warnings for residents to lock their vehicles. 

Sept. 16, 2016

  • Rosetown RCMP investigated a theft from a vehicle left in a field near Highway 4, about 10 kilometres south of Rosetown. The vehicle had been left in the field overnight and was not locked. The culprits made off with various tools, fuel, oil and antifreeze. 
  • Officers responded to a break, enter and theft into a home in the RM of St. Andrews. The culprits stole a number of items including an iPad, assorted jewellery, passports, clothing and purses.
  • Rosetown RCMP received two complaints that vehicles had been rummaged through overnight. Little to nothing was taken from the vehicles. One of the vehicles was parked on the east side of Rosetown, while the other two vehicles were parked behind a local business in the 300 block of Main Street in Rosetown.

Sept. 17, 2016 

  • Police received a complaint of a prowler in dark clothing going through a yard in Rosetown and trying to open vehicle and house doors. Patrols were made but no suspects were found. 
  • Officers received a complaint about a theft from a vehicle in Rosetown. Bow hunting equipment was allegedly stolen from two vehicles, including the bow, along with wallets and other personal items. 
  • Police dealt with 12 other complaints of local vehicles being rummaged through overnight. Golf clubs, money and cellphones were among the items taken from some vehicles. 

Sept. 24, 2016

  • Rosetown RCMP were investigating the attempted theft of a tractor trailer unit from a yard about 1.5 kilometres south of Rosetown. The semi was found in a ditch in front of the residence. 

Police received a total of four suspicious persons and vehicle calls from Sept. 22 to 29.

Other incidents, such as driving offences, were also reported to the RCMP. However, this article only lists cases related to property crime and suspicious behaviour. 

With files from CBC's Jennifer Quesnel