Sheriff's Report: Phone call scam attempts noted by county residents

Sheriff deputies, on April 17, reported several phone call scam attempts in various places of Otter Tail County the previous day.

One county resident, unfortunately, took the bait and became a scam victim after providing some financial information over the phone. The resident resides at East Spirit Lake, southwest of Vergas.

A Deer Creek resident avoided the scam. This person received a call on April 16. The caller said he was with a collection agency and said the Deer Creek resident needed to pay for a medical procedure.

However, the Deer Creek resident knew that no medical procedures were done on the date as indicated by the collection agent. No personal information was provided to the caller and the county resident then called the county sheriff's office.

Another county resident, on April 16, called the sheriff office from a residence at Long Lake Road, northwest of Ottertail city, complaining about scam calls.

Sheriff deputies again urge county residents to take note of who is calling them. Never agree to payments over the phone. When in doubt, hang up and call a medical provider or business yourself to obtain what is proper information.

Irrigators damaged by vandals north of Perham

The owner of an irrigation system, in Gorman Township north of Perham, told sheriff's deputies on April 16 that vandals tore wires from the irrigation system.

Damages totaled close to $2,500.

The vandalism likely took place in the previous ten days. An investigation was continuing as of April 17.

Propane tanks stolen, suspect later arrested

A thief stole two propane tanks from a fish house at Lake Shore Drive, West Battle Lake, but was later arrested on April 16.

The suspect was seen making the theft by an eyewitness. Law enforcement officials later tracked down the suspect who was in possession of the stolen propane tanks.

The tanks were returned to the rightful owner via the Battle Lake Police Department. The suspect was later expected to appear in county court, Fergus Falls.

Driver injured, later arrested for DWI

A woman lost control of a vehicle on a curve in the road northeast of Dalton at 2:58 a.m. on April 18. She was injured when the car hit a tree near the intersection of Stalker Lake Road and Island Road.

Sheriff deputies said she later was arrested and charged with DWI. An appearance in county court, Fergus Falls, was forthcoming.

Deputies reported another accident, this one at 11:10 a.m. on April 17, northwest of Perham. A driver was injured in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highways 60 and 10.

Theft reported at Wall Lake

The theft of a dock and other items near Wall Lake, east of Fergus Falls, was reported on April 17.

The aluminum dock sections stolen totaled 36 feet. Also taken were steel legs and a steel wheel.

Driver critically injured south of New York Mills

A driver was critically injured when his vehicle left the roadway south of New York Mills at 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.

The accident took place near the intersection of Highways 52 and 67.

A male driver, 19, was eastbound on Highway 52, east of Ottertail and south of New York Mills in Leaf Lake Township, when he overcorrected his vehicle, entered the ditch and struck a tree.

Henning Ambulance employees took the victim to Tri County Hospital in Wadena. The victim was later airlifted to a hospital in St. Cloud.

Assisting at the scene of the accident were sheriff's deputies, the state patrol and members of the New York Mills Fire Department.

Theft near Perham

Sheriff deputies said the owner of an irrigation system called in on April 18 to report the theft of 130 feet of electrical cord in rural Perham.

The theft likely took place in the fall of 2018. An investigation was continuing as of Monday, April 22.

Vandalism reported

A resident of rural Dent, who resides on 380th Avenue, reported that someone shot at his tractor multiple times.

The call came into the county sheriff's office. Information on the vandalism was reported during a news media briefing on April 22 at the county sheriff office in Fergus Falls.