GILLETTE, Wyo. — Here is a summary of notable crimes that occurred in and around Gillette yesterday, April 16, obtained through law enforcement reports compiled by the Gillette Police Department and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.
Suspicious activity, April 16, Barber Creek Road, CCSO
An energy company employee called the sheriff’s office at 9:23 a.m. to report damage supposedly done to three oil sites on Barber Creek Road, Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds said. Someone with knowledge of how the sites work reportedly cycled the power on and off, causing belt damage to a piece of oil equipment. The employee wasn’t sure who could have done it and merely wished for the sheriff’s office to be aware.
Theft, April 16, South Douglas Highway, GPD
Officers responded to a fueling station on South Douglas Highway at 9:27 a.m. after receiving a report of a 20-year-old man stealing a mounted cigarette receptacle, Gillette Deputy Police Chief Brent Wasson said. The receptacle was valued at $49 and officers were able to recover the property from the 20-year-old man, who was issued a citation for larceny.
Animal bite, April 16, Monte Vista Lane, GPD
A 25-year-old woman called the police at 12:02 p.m. after seeking medical attention for a dog bite on Monte Vista Lane, Wasson said. The dog reportedly bit the woman on her right bicep. She knew the dog’s owner and the animal was current on its vaccinations. The dog was allowed to quarantine at home.
Theft, April 16, Mint Avenue, GPD
Officers spoke with a 29-year-old man who reported his hunting bag missing from a residence on Mint Avenue around 12:58 p.m., Wasson said. The man said his home was recently foreclosed upon and he had secured permission to retrieve property from the residence. When he got there, he realized his green camouflaged hunting bag with assorted hunting supplies was missing. The items were valued at under $1,000, and the investigation is ongoing.
Fraud, April 16, East 5th Street, GPD
A 70-year-old woman went to the police department at 2:11 p.m. to report being targeted by fraud, Wasson said. The woman said she was contacted by individuals posing as law enforcement officers who wanted her help catching scammers at a local business. The woman was told to change settings on her phone and iPad, then was instructed to purchase $2,000 in gift cards from a local home improvement store. Store staff, however, told the woman that it was a scam. She has not experienced any monetary loss but believes the scammers were able to access her devices. The investigation is ongoing.
Drugs, April 16, Brooks Avenue, GPD
Officers responded to the Brookstreet Inn on Brooks Avenue at 3:02 p.m. after personnel discovered marijuana in one of the rooms during a room inspection, Wasson said. The suspected marijuana weighed 17 grams, and an 18-year-old man was cited for drug possession.
Fight, April 16, West Boxelder Road, CCSO
Jail sanctions will be imposed on two male inmates in the Campbell County Detention Center following a physical altercation in one of the cell blocks around 6:17 p.m., Reynolds said. Detention staff saw the two inmates enter a cell and fight. Both inmates had minor injuries but neither wished to pursue charges or assist in the investigation.
Fraud, April 16, Plum Creek Court, GPD
A 30-year-old woman called the police at 10:38 p.m. to report losing $290 to a suspected puppy scam, Wasson said. The woman said she was approached by her 17-year-old sister who wanted help buying a puppy. After reaching an agreement with the seller, the 30-year-old woman transferred the money through a mobile app and planned to meet the seller at the Gillette Police Department. The woman and her sister waited for approximately one hour without the seller showing up. The seller’s social media account had been deactivated and the woman’s attempts to contact the seller were not successful. Similar attempts by officers to reach the seller also failed. The investigation is ongoing.
Through C17 Crime Clips, County 17 strives to provide our readers with the most detailed and comprehensive list of law enforcement interactions with the citizens of Gillette and Campbell County; however, some information will be withheld to protect the victims’ identities and to avoid compromising ongoing criminal investigations.
