On May 19, 2021, Indian Head RCMP received a complaint that a 41-foot tall, century-old steel windmill was stolen from a farm in Vibank, SK.
Officers began to investigate and determined that the windmill went missing some time between May 16 and 19, 2021. Indian Head Detachment’s Sgt. Ryan Case decided to send out a request for information on the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network. It allows police to send advisories to residents via a mobile messaging application, text messages, emails or phone calls.
A day later and the Indian Head Detachment had three tips – and one mystery solved. The missing windmill wasn’t stolen at all. It was the victim of a non-criminal misunderstanding and all parties involved are working toward getting it to its rightful home.
“The Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network is a very valuable tool because it allows us to send information or requests out quickly to the public – and it goes right to their phones,” Sgt. Case says. “This is a good example of how members of the public can assist with police investigations. The tips on this one helped conclude this file, which ended up having a happy ending.”
Residents can sign up to receive Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network advisories at www.saskcrimewatch.ca or by downloading the mobile Everbridge application from the Google Play or Apple stores.
