On Thursday, officers with Sault Ste. Marie Police, with assistance from the Emergency Services Unit, charged a 31-year-old man with robbery while using a firearm and several other weapon and firearm offences.
At around 10:40 a.m., 911 communicators received a report of an active robbery at a business in the 200 block of Northern Avenue. Officers were dispatched to the business, police said in a news release.
When police arrived, the accused was being detained by members of the public and was taken into police custody.
"An investigation revealed the accused had attempted to leave the business with stolen items and, when confronted by a member of the public, pulled a firearm from their bag and pointed it at their face," police said.
The victim physically detained the accused and disarmed them. The firearm was later determined to be a pellet gun.
Ronald Lecuyer is charged with:
- Robbery Using Firearm (Restricted or Prohibited)
- Use of Firearm in Commission of Offence
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Carrying Concealed Weapon
- Careless Use of Firearm
- Pointing a Firearm
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x2
- Failure to Comply with Release Order – Other Than to Attend Court
- Failure to Attend Court While on Release Order
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Lecuyer is considered innocent unless proven guilty.