Thursday, August 19, 2004

YOUTHS CHARGED
Last evening a 16-year-old youth and his parent were at the police station in regards to the youth being wanted for stealing a vehicle on the 9th of August.

Back on that date, city police stopped a vehicle in the hill area that was operating with no lights at 2 am in the morning. 3 persons fled the scene. Officers arrested a 17 and a 16-year-old youth in the area, but a third person had manage to evade the officers.

The 16 and 17-year-old youths that had been taken into custody were both charged with one count each of theft under $5,000 and one count each of possession of property obtained by crime.

The youth at the police station yesterday was also on a probation order with a curfew of 7 pm as well as other terms. This youth has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000, one count of possession of property obtained by crime and 4 counts of breach of probation. The youth will appear in bail court this morning.


ASSAULT & THREATENING DEATH
A 21-year-old male will appear in bail court today after being charged with one count of assault and one count of threatening death from an incident on the 16th of August that occurred in the City’s downtown area.

It is alleged that the male assaulted a female by punching her in the face as well as kicking and punching her in the stomach and back. In addition to this, the male also choked the victim and threatened to break her neck. She called the police yesterday and he was arrested.

His name is not being released as it could identify the victim.


WOMAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
Yesterday afternoon city police were called to the Zellers Store in the Station Mall after receiving a complaint from store security.

It is alleged that Linda Desautel, age 55, of 102-239 Wellington Street East walked out of the Zellers store with a vacuum and a microwave in her cart without stopping to pay for them. When the security guard for the store approached her, the accused assaulted him by swinging at him and striking him in the head.

She was taken into custody and charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of assault. She will appear in court on September 20th.


POLICE REPORT SCAM
City police received a report of a possible phone scam in which a female advises she is from the National Debt Collection Agency and that she is calling in regards to overdue fines from a dated bylaw infraction.

The complainant was alert enough not to provide any banking information or to provide a blank cheque to the caller, who was also described as very pushy.

The officer who took the complaint has confirmed that the City does not have anyone from any Collection Agency making any calls. The public is reminded not to give any banking information out over the phone, and if they are not sure if a caller or business is legitimate or not to error on the side of caution and look into the matter first. At this time this has been the only complaint of this type that has been received by City Police.


BIKE RODEO COMING
On Tuesday August 24th the Sault Ste Marie Police Service, Rome’s Independent Grocer and The Sault Ste Marie Safe Communities Partnership will be teaming up to hold a Bike Safety Rodeo and Bike Registration.

The event will occur in the Willow Street side of the parking lot at Rome’s and the rodeo is open to kids between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. The event runs from 2 pm to 7 pm. In order to participate in the rodeo, all kids must have a helmet and must have a signed consent form from their parent or guardian. The consent forms will be available at the rodeo area on that date.

If you fall outside of the age group for the rodeo, you can still attend the area and have your bicycle registered with the Sault Ste Marie Police Service if you live in the City. There is no cost for registering your bike or to participate in the rodeo.

By participating in either the rodeo or registration you can win a chance to win one of 3 helmets donated by Kids Safe Algoma and the Youth Subcommittee, which are both part of the Safe Communities Partnership.

Rome’s has arranged for the Kelloggs company to donate a bike that can be won by a rodeo participant. Trained staff from the Algoma Health Unit will also be on hand to conduct helmet inspections and to show the youths of our community the proper way to wear their helmets.