The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has released more details into an arrest that was made during the weekend, and how it was connected to other recent alleged crimes in the community.
Between Dec. 16, 2019 and Jan. 12, 2020, the Estevan Police Service (EPS) received multiple complaints of mischief to mailboxes in locations throughout Estevan. In each of these occurrences, access to the mailboxes was obtained and mailbox doors and locking mechanisms were damaged.
In one of these occurrences, a key for a residence was stolen and later used to enter the associated apartment where several items were stolen.
On Jan. 12, the Estevan Police Service received a complaint of a suspicious male tampering with surveillance equipment at a hotel in the downtown area. Investigation into that occurrence resulted in police further determining that a master key had also been stolen from staff and used to enter several rooms where items were stolen.
As a result of the police investigation, a 30-year-old man was arrested and a search warrant was executed on one of the rooms at the hotel. Items seized from within the room include a significant amount of stolen property, including personal and business mail, keys, real and forged documents, identification cards, training certificates and electronic devices. Also located in the room were break and enter tools and a machete.
The male arrested in this occurrence has been identified as Christopher Borgen, 30, who has been charged with the following offences: possession of stolen property under $5,000, mischief under $5,000, ossession of break-in instruments and failure to comply with conditions of an undertaking.
The investigation is ongoing and additional victims have been identified by way of documentation seized during execution of the search warrant. Additional charges are expected, pending completion of the investigation.
Further details will be release when available.
Borgen made his first appearance in Estevan Provincial Court on Jan. 13 to speak to the charges and was subsequently remanded in custody until Jan. 16.
In a later message, the EPS said they are still looking for other suspects in connection with the mailbox thefts. Additional community mailboxes were reported as being broken into Tuesday and damaged since the first male was in custody. Police will continue to investigate and are requesting public assistance.
The community mailboxes were in the Willow Park Greens and Williams Way trailer park areas of Estevan.
