Monday, April 3, 2006

Food Stolen From Freezer

On Saturday 01 April 2006 at 1:12 pm Manitoulin OPP was notified of a theft that took place at a residence on Blake Street in Little Current. A family had just finished doing a large grocery shopping order in Espanola on Friday the 31st March 2006. The family spends about $700.00 in frozen food items and a large quantity of meat including Hamburger, Chicken and Beef. Upon returning home they placed all the food items in a freezer located in an open garage behind their house. On Saturday morning the 01 April 06 they went to the freezer and found the majority of the food missing. Police attended the scene and have started an investigation in to the theft of the food. The family is on a fixed income and are quite upset over the loss of the food. Police are asking if anyone has knowledge of this crime they are asked to call police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Constable Cyndy Ramage is the investigating officer.

Crash Results In Impaired Driving Charges

On Saturday morning 01 Apr 2006 at 8:59 am Manitoulin OPP officers were called to a motor vehicle collision, which took place on Hwy 540 Billings Township near the West Bay General Store. A 1997 Mercury Marquis left the roadway and struck a ditch. Officers arrived on scene and took a male person into custody. As a result of an investigation the male has been charged with Impaired Driving and failing to provide a breath sample. He was later released to appear in Gore Bay Criminal Court to answer to the said charges. Constable Robert Manley is the investigating officer.

Unknown Male Dies In Ice Mishap

(Manitoulin, Ont.) – On Sunday April 2, 2006 at approximately 6:00 AM, a male was operating a green All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on the ice about 200 meters off the shore from Maple Point, in Billings Township, about 40 kms west of Little Current. The male was traveling alone on his ATV when it plunged through the ice along with the operator. At approximately 6:30 AM, a resident of Maple Point was awakened by the male’s cries for help and called the Billings & Aundeck Omni Kaaning Fire Depts., along with the Manitoulin OPP for assistance.

The Search and Rescue coordination center was notified and they were able to dispatch a helicopter from the United States Coast Guard to assist. When rescuers arrived on the scene, sadly the male had succumbed to the icy water. He was later pronounced dead by the coroner.

Manitoulin OPP are asking for the public’s assistance as the identity of the deceased man is unknown. He is described as a male in his late twenties or early thirties, approximately 5’ 9” tall, 160 lbs with dark hair and brown eyes. He was wearing dark pants and a blue sweater jacket. He was driving a green coloured ATV, make unknown at this time. Please call Manitoulin OPP with any possible information regarding the identity of this person.

The OPP Underwater Search & Recovery Unit has been called to attend to retrieve the submerged ATV. The investigation is continuing and the investigating officer is Sgt. Richard Rusticus.

Buyer Beware

Powassan OPP is investigating an occurrence in which individuals are selling sound systems from the back of their vehicles.

On Monday and Tuesday of last week (March 27th and 28th, 2006), two males were selling speakers from the back of a white GMC Safari van outside the Kwik-Mart on Main Street, Powassan. This is a common occurrence within the last year, in which individuals driving SUV’s and Vans from Ontario and Quebec are selling sound systems out of their vehicle for very low prices. The systems have been thoroughly checked by police and do not appear to be stolen. They appear to be over stocked items from elsewhere. The individuals target high volume areas and use very aggressive selling techniques. It is later discovered that the systems are of low quality. In some locales, these individuals are breaching a by-law because they are selling items without a licence. Police will take action in these matters.

The message to all is: If it appears to be suspicious, there is a good chance that it is, indeed, suspicious! So please contact police if you encounter these individuals. Action will be taken.

If you have more information regarding this activity or if you encounter people selling items from their vehicle, please call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Near North Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Threatening Behavious Leads To Arrest

(Blind River, Ont.) On Friday 31 March 2006 at approximately 8:00 p.m. a person who had been advised not to trespass in a local bar attended and began to threaten an employee when he was refused service.

Police attended The Iron Horse Tavern in Blind River but the unruly patron had since left. He was located a short time later and fled when he saw Police but was again located. The person was arrested for Threatening and taken to the Police station in Blind River.
Once at the Police station the subject exhibited assaultive behavior towards the officers and continued to make threats. In order to reduce the threat to officers he was Tasered and only then began to comply.

Charged is 42-year-old Dean Sean WILSON of 9 Schurm Ave. Blind River, Ont.

Wilson was charged with:
Causing A Disturbance, Breach of a Probation Order, Assault Police Officer and two counts of Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm.

He was held in custody and was in Bail Court in Sault Ste. Marie on 01 April 06.

Laird Man Charged For Credit Card Theft

A twenty three year old Laird Twp man has been arrested after stealing and using another man credit card.

On Saturday April 1, 2006 the victim attended the Sault Ste Marie OPP Detachment after learning that there were charges on a credit card that the victim had not yet received.

The investigation has revealed that the accused stole the credit card from the victim’s mail box and activated the card. The accused is alleged to have charged several thousands of dollars in cash and merchandise on the card prior to being caught.

Twenty three year old Christopher HEALD of Finn’s Bay Road in Laird Twp will appear in bail court this morning. He has been charged with one count of Theft of Credit Card and Breach of a Recognizance. The investigation is ongoing and police expect that several more charges will be laid against the accused.

Break & Enter At Royal Canadian Legion

(Bruce Mines, Ontario) On Monday April 3, 2006 at approximately 2:30 am the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP were contacted regarding an alarm at the Royal Canadian Legion located in Bruce Mines, Ontario.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers located a window open where entry was gained.

A small amount of cash and liquor was stolen.

If you have any information regarding this break and enter, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-705-942-7867 or the East Algoma OPP at 1-888-310-1122.