Where's the fire?
Two men are finding out the hard way that it's not just annoying to set off a false fire alarm -- it's a criminal offence.
The first incident took place Monday morning at Chatham-Kent police headquarters.
Police said a 28-year-old man who spoke with an officer at the front desk didn't like the advice he was given, so as he stormed off he allegedly pulled the fire alarm.
The man was immediately arrested outside of the building and charged with setting off a false fire alarm.
A 37-year-old man was also arrested and charged with the same offence after allegedly pulling a fire alarm at Grand Retirement Village on Ursuline Avenue in Chatham. That happened just before 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said they found the man in the parking lot and when they spoke with him, he allegedly admitted that he had pulled the alarm.
Both of the accused were taken into custody pending a bail hearing.
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Crash leads to careless driving charge
A 21-year-old Thamesville woman who hit a hydro pole with her vehicle is being hit with a careless driving charge now, too.
Police said they laid the charge after responding to a single-vehicle crash on Riverview Line between Drake Road and Dillon Road at around 11 a.m. Monday.
Officers said a driver lost control of her vehicle, went off the road, and hit a hydro pole. She was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries after the crash and later charged.
The damages are estimated at $5,000.
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Driver charged after Dresden crash
A 22-year-old Chatham man is charged with failing to yield the right of way in connection with a two-vehicle crash in Dresden.
Police said the crash took place at around 8 a.m. Monday on North Street.
No injuries were reported -- the damage was estimated at $2,500.
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Lottery ticket theft highlighted as Crime of the Week
Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers officials are appealing to the public for tips as they try to track down a lottery ticket thief.
Police said the unknown suspect walked into the Thamesville Circle K store at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday and indicated that he wanted to buy some lottery tickets.
However, when the clerk removed the tray of $4 and $5 tickets from the counter, the suspect allegedly grabbed the tray and took off without paying for any of them. The total value of the tickets is estimated at $230.
Police say the suspect is a male with short dark hair and he was last seen wearing a black hoodie.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-222-8477 and could earn a cash reward.
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Police make 'stunning' discovery during traffic stop
Chatham-Kent police have pulled a 34-year-old man -- and his vehicle -- off the road after pulling him over in Chatham.
Police said the man was stopped after an officer on general patrol spotted him driving in the area of Bloomfield Road and Riverview Drive Monday night.
The officer who pulled him over reportedly recognized him as a prohibited driver and then later allegedly found a stun gun on him, which violates his release conditions because he wasn't supposed to possess any weapons.
Police said the man was charged with driving while banned, possession of a banned weapon, failing to comply, and breaching his probation.
The accused was taken into custody pending a bail hearing and his vehicle was impounded for 45 days.
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Trio charged with failing to comply
Three Chatham residents in their 20s are in more trouble with police now after they were allegedly caught hanging out when they should have been staying away from each other.
Police said two 25-year-old Chatham men and a 26-year-old Chatham woman who had all been ordered not to communicate with each other were allegedly found together at an address on Queens Line Monday afternoon.
They were all charged with two counts each of failing to comply with their release conditions and were then taken into custody pending a bail hearing.
