SIU investigate after suspect injured during arrest

A news release issued today by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) reports that authorities are seeking witnesses to an incident that occurred early yesterday morning at the intersection of Wellington East and Pilgrim Streets.

The release states that during the arrest of a man wanted on an outstanding warrant, a struggle ensued and the accused was transported to hospital with a serious injury.

Full text of the SIU news release follows:

MISSISSAUGA - Investigators with the Special Investigations Unit are appealing for witnesses to an arrest that occurred yesterday morning in Sault Ste. Marie, resulting in injuries to a 38-year-old man.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
    •    At approximately 6 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2020, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service officers were dispatched to the area of Wellington Street East and Pilgrim Street after receiving a report of a man pushing a motorcycle along Wellington Street.
    •    When officers arrived, they located the man sitting on the motorcycle. Further investigation revealed that the man was wanted on an outstanding warrant.
    •    As officers attempted to apprehend the man, a struggle ensued.
    •    The man was arrested and transported to hospital for treatment of a serious injury.

Two investigators have been assigned to the case.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must:  
    •    consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
    •    depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
    •    publicly report the results of its investigations