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Chatham

CK police briefs - Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Man arrested after showing up to courthouse four months late

A 37-year-old Chatham man who allegedly skipped his court date last fall has a new appointment with a judge now.

Chatham-Kent police said he was supposed to appear in court in October 2023 to answer to charges including impaired driving, failing to comply with a probation order, and drug possession -- but he never showed up for that.

The man was arrested at the courthouse on Grand Avenue West in Chatham shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

He was later released with a future court date.

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CK man arrested for criminal harassment

A 54-year-old Chatham-Kent man is facing a harassment charge after he ignored a warning from police to stop contacting a specific person who didn't want to hear from him.

CK police said they started their investigation on February 20, adding that the man had previously been cautioned by police regarding some "unwanted and vexatious behavior towards the victim."

Officers said despite being warned, the man showed up at the victim's workplace multiple times.

Police tried to track him down and eventually secured a warrant for his arrest after officers couldn't find him.

He turned himself in Tuesday afternoon and was charged with criminal harassment.

The man was later released with conditions and a future court date.

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Well-being check leads police to wanted man

Chatham-Kent police managed to nab another wanted man in Chatham Tuesday morning.

Police said they found the 34-year-old man while they were conducting a well-being check on a man who was seen sleeping behind a business on Simcoe Lane at around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Officers said the man was wanted on an outstanding warrant from a November 2023 investigation, so he was arrested.

The man was charged with uttering threats and breaching his probation and he was later released with a future court date.

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CK police warn the public about a pair of ongoing scams

Chatham-Kent police are issuing an alert to the public about a pair of scams that they say have recently emerged in the area.

The first is a "court scam" where individuals receive text messages claiming that they owe money to the courts. Police said the messages often include a link to a website.

Officers say court notices are never sent via text message, so if you receive a message like that, you should delete it right away and block the number -- don't click the link or provide any personal information.

The second scam making its rounds locally involves people who are claiming to be representatives of the "Publishers Clearing House."

Police said the scammers will contact victims to inform them that they have won a prize -- but there's a catch. The victims need to send gift cards (specifically Joker gift cards) to the representative and they also need to provide some personal details such as their preferred grocery shopping locations.

Officers say if you get a call like that, you should hang up right away, adding that legitimate prize notifications do not require any form of payment or personal information.

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