A roundup of several recent area thefts reported by Otter Tail County sheriff deputies:
- Sheriff deputies reported the theft of a ATV, northwest of Otter Tail Lake, on 295th Street. The theft is believed to have taken place between mid-February and early April. There were no suspects as of Monday, April 20.
- Sheriff deputies reported a theft from a storage unit April 19 near Perham, on Fort Thunder Road. Missing was a TV, sound system and other items worth approximately $2,300.
- A theft at Heart Lake Road near Vergas, reported on April 19, resulted in the loss of DeWalt impact drivers, a Stihl chainsaw and various hand tools valued at close to $500. There was forced entry to a detached garage.
- A resident near Pickerel Lake in central Otter Tail County, north of Underwood, reported the theft of a Simpson power washer valued at $550. The theft, reported April 18, took place near Highway 115 on the west side of the lake.
Highway 75 chase ends in arrest
A vehicle chase on County Highway 75 in eastern Otter Tail County resulted in an arrest shortly before 3 p.m. April 18.
The person arrested was later charged with vehicle theft, hit and run, fleeing on foot and DWI.
Assisting county sheriff deputies were the state patrol and sheriff and police personnel from nearby Wadena County.
Otter Tail resident reports stolen tax ID
On April 16 a resident of Otter Tail County, location not disclosed, reported that someone filed taxes under the complainant’s name.
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Also, stimulus money was deposited into an account that is not the account of the county resident.
The county resident, according to the sheriff’s office, is contacting the fraud division of the IRS.
Sheriff deputies point out to all county residents that if this happens to one of them help is available through the IRS Identity Protection website. The phone number is 800-908-4490.
Help also is available through the state of Minnesota. The email is individual.incometax@state.mn.us and the phone number is 800-652-9094.
Theft reported near city of Ottertail
Sheriff deputies reported several tools stolen from a location at Three Lakes Road east of Ottertail. The theft likely took place between 6 p.m. on April 14 and 5:30 a.m. on April 15.
Items taken included a tool box with Rigid brand tools, skill saw, batteries, charger and roofing nailer. An investigation was continuing as of Thursday morning, April 16.
More seniors lose money in sweepstakes scams
Sheriff deputies in Otter Tail County continue to warn county residents, especially senior citizens, to beware of sweepstakes scams.
In recent days, in nearby North Dakota, at least four senior citizens fell victim to calls from scammers who said falsely that they represented Publisher’s Clearing House.
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The victims believed they had won prizes. But in order to claim those financial prices, fees needed to be paid first.
One victim, in his 80s, mailed signed blank checks and sustained a loss of $8,750.
Another victim, also past age 80, gave out Amazon gift card numbers to scammers over the phone after purchasing the Amazon gift cards. The victim lost several hundred dollars.
Two victims in their 70s also were scammed.
One victim mailed cash to scammers three times and lost $4,000. A fourth victim in his 70s bought prepaid cash cards and lost $12,900.
Sheriff departments in both Minnesota and North Dakota remind residents that the real and legitimate Publishers Clearing House will never ask a winner to pay a fee in order to collect a prize.
