Saskatoon police briefs: Officers respond to stabbing, taser threat

Police in Saskatoon arrested a 17-year-old boy who allegedly threatened a woman with a taser on Wednesday night.

According to police, officers were called to a parking lot on Eighth Street East just after 9 p.m. “for a report of a male that had threatened a woman with a conducted energy weapon.”

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Police said the suspect and the victim did not know each other.

The responding officers spotted a 17-year-old boy who matched the suspect’s description, and arrested him after a short foot chase.

“A search of his person found a conducted energy weapon and bottles of alcohol,” the police service said in a statement.

“As a result, the 17-year-old male has been charged with possession of prohibited weapon dangerous to public peace, unauthorized carry of a concealed prohibited weapon, and failure to comply with court-imposed conditions.”

Man stabbed early on Thursday morning

Police in Saskatoon are investigating after a man was stabbed in an apartment on Avenue P South.

Officers were called to the building at around 2 a.m., and found the victim “suffering from multiple stab wounds outside.”

He was taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment of injuries that the police service said were not believed to be life threatening.

“Further investigation found that an altercation had occurred inside a suite within the apartment building and that bear spray had also been discharged,” the police service added.

“No suspects were located but members of the Serious Assault Unit are continuing to investigate.”

‘Grandparent scam’ still circulating in Saskatoon

Police are warning the public that a common scam is still making the rounds in the Bridge City.

The so-called “grandparent scam” sees fraudsters contact a victim – usually an elderly person – and claim that a family member is in an emergency. The fraudsters then ask for money to resolve the nonexistent issue.

Police said there have been several reports of fraudsters targeting victims in Saskatoon with the scam.

Police said the fraudsters in the recent cases contacted their victims by phone while claiming to be either police or a lawyer, “informing the victim that their grandchild is in police custody as a result of a traffic collision and/or drug possession.”

The fraudsters then ask for a cash payment to be made to a person claiming to be a bail bondsperson.

“In each report of victimization, fraudsters attended to the victim’s residence and defrauded them of several thousand dollars,” the police service said.

Police said they believe a man and a woman are involved in the recent fraud cases, and shared a photo of the woman.

Police said this woman is believed to be involved in several recent fraud cases. (Saskatoon Police Service/Submitted)

The Saskatoon Police Service also emphasized that no legitimate authority would make such demands or arrangements over the phone, and encouraged everyone to speak with their older or vulnerable friends or relatives to warn them about the scam.

“Fraudsters leverage urgency and panic to coerce the victim into complying with their requests and demands,” the police service said.

“Always use extreme caution, especially when being asked to send any form of currency.”