Clarendon does not have reliable cell service and with no telephones, residents couldn’t call 911, said Sgt. Ben Comely with the local RCMP.

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Police later found the wire split up in buckets at a nearby home, its black rubber coating melted away to reveal what the thieves were after: copper.

The officers seized 90 kilograms of copper wire and charged three people with theft of property over $5,000.

The case is just one example in a surge of telephone wire thefts across the country that have left people without phone or internet. Many are pointing fingers at scrap yard owners, including those who say they refuse to buy copper from thieves.

“The (social media) comments, they blame all the scrap yards,” said Daniel Rinzler, owner of D.R. Scrap Metals in Moncton, N.B. “We have to ask for ID … and that’s deterring a lot of people from stealing it and selling it to me. But there’s still other black markets they could sell copper to.”

As copper prices hit record highs, Bell logged 1,275 incidents related to thefts of the metal from its network in 2025, said Éliane Légaré, a spokesperson for the company. That’s an increase of roughly 40 per cent over the year before.

Bell also recently touted a decision by a Quebec Court judge who awarded the company $24,000 in damages after it sued a man convicted of stealing copper in Chicoutimi, Que., in a crime that caused 94 customers to lose internet service for more than a day.

Rogers said the total number of outage hours related to vandalism in its networks, which includes attempted copper thefts, has increased by 400 per cent since 2022.

The rise in thefts prompted Connie Cody, the Conservative member for Cambridge, Ont., to push for a crackdown on scrap yards that buy stolen copper wire.

Last month, she introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Commons that would make it a crime for scrap metal dealers to trade, traffic or have for sale any scrap metal that was known to be stolen, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and a jail sentence of up to two years.

Rinzler said salvage dealers know people are angry. But they are doing their best not to encourage crime while operating amid a patchwork of provincial laws, which may encourage thieves to steal in one province and sell in another, he said in an interview.

Although New Brunswick requires dealers to ask anyone trying to sell copper for identification, no such rules exist in neighbouring Nova Scotia or Quebec.

“They can drive 25 minutes, go across the border and they can sell copper there,” Rinzler said. “There’s guys coming through here that go to Quebec.”

In Alberta, metal recyclers must report all their sales to the police through a centralized database.

A metal dealer in Nova Scotia said scrap yard owners don’t want to buy stolen property, but they risk angering dangerous people if they don’t. The Canadian Press agreed not to name him because his business had just been broken into and he said he didn’t want to invite any more trouble.

Uniform rules across provinces would probably help, as long as they were evenly enforced, he said.

It’s easy to recognize stolen phone wire, and he always refuses those trying to sell it, he said. But others will buy it.

Eric Smith, senior vice-president of the Canadian Telecommunications Association, said wire thefts become a public safety issue when they interrupt communications. His group supports Bill C-14, a government bill which would introduce stiffer penalties for thefts that interfere with critical infrastructure.

He agreed that a more cohesive approach among the provinces, rather than a jurisdictional patchwork of different regulations, could help too.

“We would like to see all provinces adopt rigorous regulations around this,” he said in an interview.

As for Cody’s effort, Bill C-271, Smith said he hadn’t had a chance to dig into it yet, but he welcomed her initiative to raise awareness.

Rinzler said the situation is complicated.

“If people are going to steal something that’s valuable, that’s what they’re going to do,” he added. “If they’re desperate for money, they’ll do whatever they can.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press

According to police, the majority of the thefts took place at liquor stores in the city’s north end, but grocery stores and other businesses were also targeted during the one-man crime spree.

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Police said officers got a report in August saying a man had grabbed an item from a shelf of a Dewdney Avenue liquor store, then assaulted an employee before fleeing.

Investigating officers pored over “hours of surveillance footage as they worked to determine who was responsible,” the Regina Police Service said in a statement.

“Last night, the suspect was located and arrested by Patrol officers following a report of a theft at a business.”

Police said the 40-year-old man is now facing 30 separate charges of theft under $5,000, along with one charge of robbery relating to the alleged incident at the Dewdney Avenue liquor store.

The police force encouraged retailers to “invest in security cameras, if possible,” and to report all instances of theft.

“The Regina Police Service takes retail theft seriously and, although much of the work takes place after the occurrence, collaborative crime prevention is a key component,” police noted.

Tim Philp says on the night of November 11, 2025, someone was able to get into Dad’s Diner through an unlocked door.

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“They found a cell phone, they found our house sound system, and unfortunately, they got the Legion poppy box and the donations that were included in that,” Philp said in an interview, after posting about the theft on Facebook.

Philp said he didn’t report the break-in to police, explaining there was no damage and the loss wasn’t particularly significant — except for the donations meant for the Royal Canadian Legion, which would have been picked up the next day.

“Everything else is just something I can replace easily,” he said, “The point of the poppy box is a little bit more of an insult.”

Philp began operating the diner at the 11th Avenue location one year ago, several months after first establishing a prep kitchen for a food truck at the site.

Until now, there hadn’t been any issues.

“Actually, we’ve had really good luck with the neighbourhood,” he said. “We’ve had great response, we’ve been supportive of the neighbourhood, and we’ve had a great time.

“This is just a one-off, unfortunate incident.”

Philp is now hoping to turn a negative into a positive by covering the stolen funds, by donating one dollar to the Legion for every cinnamon bun sold through the end of November.

“I think we’ll more than make up for it, and we’ll have a bigger donation at the end of the month than we had to begin with.”

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]]> https://www.cjme.com/2025/11/15/regina-business-owner-raising-money-to-cover-poppy-box-theft/feed/ 0 https://www.cjme.com/2025/09/24/rosetown-rcmp-investigate-theft-and-use-of-stolen-bank-card/ https://www.cjme.com/2025/09/24/rosetown-rcmp-investigate-theft-and-use-of-stolen-bank-card/#respond Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:52:18 +0000 CJME News 2025-09-24T17:52:18+00:00 https://d559.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=924212 RCMP say the individual is described as a male with brown hair, a black ‘Champion’ sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white running shoes. He was seen with a tan Silverado truck with Saskatchewan license plate 340 MAU (Rosetown RCMP/Submitted) Rosetown RCMP officers are hoping residents can help solve the theft of a debit card from a vehicle.

Police asked residents to check any surveillance footage for any suspicious activity in the Rosetown area from Friday at 8 p.m. to Saturday at 8 a.m.

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“Investigation determined the theft occurred between 10 p.m. on Sept. 19 and 6 a.m. on Sept. 20,” the RCMP said in a news release.

Police said the thief reportedly used the debit card at a local gas station.

“The individual is described as a male with brown hair, a black ‘Champion’ sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white running shoes. He was seen with a tan Silverado truck with Saskatchewan license plate 340 MAU,” the RCMP said.

Police are also looking for a blue Nissan sedan with Alberta licence plates. The two occupants allegedly met with the male suspect, who is believed to have stolen and used a debit card. (Rosetown RCMP/Submitted)

Police said the thief was seen meeting with two people in a blue Nissan sedan with an Alberta place.

The female occupant was described as blond, wearing a black skirt, a black hoodie with grey writing and beige sandals, while the male was described wearing an orange or red jacket with reflective tape on it and a dark ball cap.

If anyone recognizes the individuals or the vehicles, Mounties asked them to contact police.

Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

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RPS said in a news release on June 16 that police checked out a report of two people unconscious in a vehicle in the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue around 2:15 a.m. on June 15 and found them unresponsive.

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Police said that not long after they got there the driver regained consciousness and stepped out of the vehicle and they saw a can of bear spray inside.

A search of the vehicle then found a loaded sawed-off rifle, ammunition, a knife, and drug paraphernalia, RPS said.

Both were arrested without incident.

The 30-year-old woman and 28-year-old man have been jointly charged with possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed or prohibited device or ammunition and careless storage of a firearm.

The man has also been charged with failing or refusing to comply with a demand, driving while prohibited and possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

Both appeared  in Regina Provincial Court on June 16.

Man Tasered and charged charged with theft

A 37-year-old man who police were told was stealing parcels from homes in The Greens on Gardiner neighbourhood on June 13 was Tasered during his arrest, RPS said in a news release on June 16.

Police said that officers were called  to the 5100 block of Primrose Green Drive after receiving a report about a theft in progress and got a description of the suspect.

Shortly after, officers saw the suspect walking southbound near the 3700 block of Chuka Boulevard and he then refused to comply with officers’ commands during his arrest, police said.

The man has been charged with theft under $5,000 and resisting arrest and is scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial Court on July 28.

RPS policy requires that any use of a Taser by an officer be publicly announced, and the incident will be reviewed to determine if the use of force was appropriate.

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According to police, the first incident happened back on November 5, when a person pried open mailboxes and stole the contents at an apartment building on Fifth Avenue North. Three days later, an apartment building on Avonhurst Drive was also a target.

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“Witnesses reported hearing noises in the mailbox area and when they entered the space to investigate, they came across a male suspect attempting to use a screwdriver to break into the mailboxes,” the Regina Police Service said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“The suspect immediately fled the scene.”

Then, on January 14, a man walked up to the front of a home on Robinson Street and stole all of the mail from the mailbox. Two days later, on Jan. 16, a person pried open “numerous mailboxes” at an apartment on Ninth Avenue North, stealing several pieces of mail.

The most recent incident happened on Jan. 21, at the same Avonhurst Drive building that was targeted back in November.

“A male suspect used a screwdriver to open several mailboxes, was confronted by a witness and fled the scene,” the police service said.

Police said a 36-year-old man from Lake Alma, Sask. was identified through video surveillance, and is now charged with four counts of breaking and entering to commit theft, four counts of possession of break-and-enter tools, and a single count of theft under $5,000.

The man made his first court appearance on Monday.

According to police, officers were called to Parliament Avenue at just after noon on Saturday for a report of a vehicle theft in progress.

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“Police arrived and learned that the victim’s vehicle was stuck in the snow and the male suspect offered to help get it out before fleeing in the victim’s vehicle,” the Regina Police Service explained in a statement.

“It was also learned that the vehicle was involved in a hit and run shortly after.”

Police located the stolen vehicle a few hours later on Victoria Avenue, where the 29-year-old man was arrested.

He’s been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime, and was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday morning.

On Nov. 4, Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a break and enter at a home in Paddockwood, which is about 50 km north of Prince Albert.

An unknown number of suspects broke into the home and stole 15 securely stored firearms and ammunition. A red 2013 Yamaha Grizzly 450 quad, an 18 ft Alumarine boat, a utility trailer and multiple tools were also taken from the property.

A window and multiple gun safes were also damaged.

Investigation determined the break-in happened between 8:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 4.

RCMP ask anyone with information, or who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to come forward.

According to police, officers were called to the 300 block of Howe Place, in the city’s Normanview neighbourhood, just before 5 a.m. for a report of a vehicle theft in progress.

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Officers located the stolen vehicle on Lewvan Drive, and a tire deflation device was used to pop the tires at the intersection with 13th Avenue. Despite the deflated tires, police said the driver still refused to stop.

“In the area of 28th Avenue and Argyle Street, police, including members of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Team, were able to surround the vehicle, preventing it from driving further,” the police service said in a statement. “The driver refused to exit the vehicle, and a Police Service Dog was used to apprehend the male.”

Police said the 23-year-old driver was found to be on court-ordered conditions to not be in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. He was also charged with stealing a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property over $5,000, and breaching a release order.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning.

The stolen items include sports equipment, electronics, tools, personal documents, credit cards and bank cards, the police service noted, and six of the stolen cards were later used.

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In the majority of the cases – 16 in total – the police service said the thieves had an easy time getting into the vehicle because the doors were left unlocked.

“Never leave valuables in a parked vehicle,” the police service advised.

“If there is nothing of value in sight, there is less of a reason for thieves to gain entry to your vehicle. Remove garage door openers and spare keys to prevent thieves from gaining entry into your garage or home. Never leave your vehicle running with the keys inside and always lock vehicle doors.”

Any suspicious activity can be reported to police in order to help keep neighbourhoods safe, the police service noted.