Monday, April 18, 2005

Impaired Driving

43-year old Sarina Brydges of 7-16 Terry Fox Place will appear in bail court this morning after being arrested on April 16th. It is alleged that on Saturday night, around 11:35 pm the accused was driving a car when it struck the traffic island and a sign in front of St. Basils High School. The accused fled the scene. Patrol officers spotted the car driving eastbound on McNabb Street at a very high rate of speed. Officers activated their roof lights and the accused failed to pull over. The accused went through the red light at McNabb Street and Willow Avenue and finally stopped at McNabb Street and Pine Street. The accused displayed signs on impairment. Ms. Brydges has been charged with one count of impaired driving, one count of consume over the legal limit, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one count of fail to stop for police while being pursued.

Arson Charges

On Friday April 15th just after 10 am officers from the Investigation Services Section arrested a male in connection to a number of arsons. 19-year old Rocky Robitaille of 2-674 Lennox Avenue has been charged with 3 counts of arson-damage to property of others. The three fires this accused is involved in occurred in the early morning hours of April 13th and took place at the following places:

A wooden refuse bin located on the boardwalk in front of the Holiday Inn at 208 St. Mary’s River Dr.

A wooden bench located inside the Spirits Rising Monument on St. Mary’s River Dr.

A plastic garbage bin located at the rear of 78 Elgin Street.

3 Males in Custody

This accused is related to incidents involving 3 other males that were arrested on the 13th of April. At that time City Police had 3 males in custody. They were:

1) Travis James Bouchard, age 21, of 1052 Wellington Street East

2) Michael Christopher Chiarella, age 20, of 30 Atwater Street

3) Spencer Francis Brason, age 18, of 15 River Road.


These 3 males were charged with 4 counts each of arson-damage to property of others. Their fourth charge involved a refuge bin located beside 105 Wellington Street West. All four males will appear in court on May 16th.

Male Charged with Impaired Driving


34-year old Shawn Harriman of 25 Hardiman Street was arrested on the 16th of April just after 4 am. Patrol officers observed the accused traveling westbound on St. George’s Avenue in a truck and stopped the vehicle. The driver allegedly showed signs of impairment. The accused was arrested and when officers attempted to place the accused in the police vehicle it is alleged the accused started to twist and push away from the officers. The accused was eventually placed in the rear of the cruiser. Mr. Harriman has been charged with one count of consume over the legal limit, one count of impaired driving and one count of resist arrest. He will appear in court on May 30th.

Posssession of Property Obtained By Crime

On April 17th just after 10 pm Patrol officers observed a stolen van traveling northbound on Goulais Avenue and then turn east onto 4th Line West. Officers stopped the vehicle in the 600 block of 4th Line West. 2 14-year old youths were taken into custody. One of the youths had a screwdriver in their pant pockets when searched by officers. Both youths have been charged with one count each of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. The youth with the screwdriver faces an additional charge of possession of housebreaking tools. Both youths will appear in court on May 24th.

Female Charged with Assault

A 38-year old female will appear in court on May 25th after City Police attended an east end residence in regards to a domestic related call. On the 17th of April just after 6 pm officers were called to the residence. It is alleged that the female assaulted her common law spouse by grabbing him by the shirt and punching him in the face. The accused has been charged with one count of assault.

Break and Enter

City Police received 2 reports of break and enters over the weekend. On the 16th of April a homeowner in the 100 block of Breton Road reported their residence had been entered. It is unknown what was taken but the residence was ransacked. On the 17th of April the driving range located at 1028 Black Road reported a break and enter that had occurred. It is unknown if anything was taken.

Reminder To Public

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind motorists that wearing your seat belt is the law and that if you are stopped by the City Police be prepared to pay the consequences of not wearing your seat belt. Between Saturday April 16th and Sunday April 24th members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will be participating in the 2005 Spring Seat Belt Campaign. Don’t be surprised if you see the City Police and the Ontario Provincial Police working together on this campaign.

The fine for not wearing your seat belt is $110, which is comprised of a $90 fine plus a $20 dollar surcharge. In addition to the fine you will be deducted 2 demerit points on your driver’s licence.

In 1976, Ontario was the first Province to make the wearing of seat belts mandatory. Spring and fall seat belt campaigns have been an integral part of an education and enforcement initiative since 1993. Ontario residents enjoy the safest road network in Canada.

Surveys have revealed that seat belt usage is as high as 92% in urban communities and for every 1% increase in seat belt usage in Ontario, five lives are saved.

This spring’s campaign will be used to raise public awareness about the importance of correctly using child car seats and booster seats while transporting children in family vehicles. Every year more Canadian children die of road traffic