Tuesday, February 25, 2003

REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
On Sunday Feb. 23rd at 2:12 pm Patrol Officers were called to a two-car collision at Wellington St. East and Pim St.

Officers found that a 1997 black Ford sedan and a 1988 Oldsmobile sedan had collided in the intersection. The Traffic Services Branch of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is requesting any witnesses to this collision to contact them at 949-6300, ext 348.


CONTENTS OF APARTMENT STOLEN
On February 18 at 12:50 p.m., police were called to a residence on George Lane where a male that was looking after the residence advised them that the home had been entered and the belongings removed. Witnesses observed three males emptying the apartment on the February 17.

Investigation revealed that the belongings had been pawned at a local pawnshop. On February 22 at 4:02 pm, officers arrested and charged Donald Scott Marttinen, age 24 of #202 614 MacDonald Avenue with Theft under $ 5,000.00. He will appear in court March 24th.

Yesterday at 1:15 pm the co-accused, a 15-year-old male went to the police station in the company of his father. The youth wished to turn himself in for the above noted occurrence as he believed there was a warrant for his arrest for theft under.

A police records check confirmed this and the youth was arrested and charged with Theft under $5,000.00 and Breach of Probation. He will appear in court in early April.


ARRESTED FOR COUNTERFEIT MONEY
On or between January 13 and February 20, the accused, Sachindeera Lakshika Rankothgedara, age 19 of 605 Northern Ave. East, allegedly passed and sold approximately 50 counterfeit $50 Canadian currency notes.

The accused sold them to numerous people holding them out to be counterfeit notes for 50% off the face value. The accused also passed approximately 2 (two) $50 counterfeit bills at Club Princess in February to purchase beverages.

Detectives executed a search warrant yesterday and an additional $50 counterfeit note was found inside of a sweater that belonged to Rankothgedara and was in his closet. Detectives arrested and charged him yesterday at 4:34 pm with Possession and Uttering of Counterfeit Money. He will appear in court March 31st.


DRUG BUST
Last evening at 10:30 pm, patrol officers went to a home on Edison Avenue for a complaint that a 15-year-old male was smoking marijuana.

Officers arrested and charged the youth with Possession of a Controlled Drug and Possession of Stolen Property. When arresting the youth, evidence of stolen mail was discovered.

The mail belonged to several different persons who reside in an apartment complex off of Goulais Ave. The youth will appear in court in early April.


TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INJURES ONE
The police service yesterday investigated 13 motor vehicle collisions. At 11:11 am, patrol officers were called to a motor vehicle collision on Pim at Bruce Streets.

Officers noted that a 1998 Ford Ranger being driven south on Pim Street went through a red light and struck a 1998 Pontiac sedan that was going east on Bruce St. The driver of the Ford was James Armstrong, age 76 of Westridge Rd. The driver of the Pontiac was Gordon Steinburg, age 41 of Lewis Road.

Armstrong was transported to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. He has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with Failing to Stop at a Red Light. Both vehicles were demolished in the collision.