Police report: Multiple Big Horn Basin banks hit in ‘jackpotting’ incidents

The Lovell Police Department received the following calls for the week of March 17-23:

March 17: 9:21 a.m. – A caller reported that two dogs were following her while she was on a walk near Lovell High School on Hampshire. The dogs were returned to their owner, who was given a verbal warning for dog at large and no town tags.

1:20 p.m. – Deputies investigated a report of an ATM at Big Horn Federal being “jackpotted,” which involves someone using physical or cyber means to get an ATM to dispense cash to an unauthorized person. Banks in Greybull and Thermopolis were also hit. The investigation was supported by multiple agencies including the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, DCI, the Greybull Police Department and the Thermopolis Police Department, as well as the LPD. Arrests were later made (see related story).

3:01 p.m. – A caller on Big Horn Avenue reported that a female friend came to visit her, but a male neighbor said the visitor was not welcome. A verbal argument ensued. A deputy responded to confirm that the visitor was welcome.

6:59 p.m. – A 40-year-old Lovell man was arrested at the Cattlemen Motel on a warrant from the Big Horn County Attorney’s Office.

March 18: 8:41 p.m. – A gas drive-off was reported at Minchow’s Sinclair. The driver was contacted and returned to pay for the gas, having attempted to pay for the fuel with an app transaction that didn’t go through.

March 19: 8:20 a.m. -- A woman reported that her OnlyFans account was compromised and that a local person was showing photos and videos from her account. She was advised that the unauthorized usage of the images was a copyright violation but was civil in nature.

1:27 p.m. – A person using the walking path at Armory Park called to complain that two kids riding scooters were not sharing the path. An officer responded and spoke to the kids about leaving enough room for others to use the path.

1:49 p.m. – The young woman in the OnlyFans dispute from the morning said she had issued a cease-and-desist letter to the person using her images but was still being harassed.

March 21: 10:19 a.m. – A caller reporting a missing male black and white border collie named Ruger was informed that the dog was safe and sound at the Horseshoe Bend Motel, with motel personnel having called to report a dog at the business.

March 22: 2:32 a.m. – An officer on patrol noticed an intoxicated man stumbling while walking on the 100 block of Jersey Avenue and gave the man a ride home.

March 23: 12:13 a.m. -- A caller reported that a dog on Shoshone Avenue had been barking for four hours. An officer responded and talked to the pet owner, who said he thought he had put all of his dogs in for the night but accidentally left one outside, causing the animal to bark.

1:54 a.m. – A caller reported a loud house party on Ninth Street. An officer responded to the location and parked for nearly an hour and did not see any concerning activity.

11:58 a.m. – An officer noticed a dog running free at Main and Quebec. The owner was contacted and came to take the wayward pet home.

Note: The above calls were received by the Lovell Police Department. Persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and charges made upon initial arrest may be amended or dismissed as determined by the County Attorney.