Monday, February 20, 2006

Theft At Local Retail Store

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) The East Algoma OPP has concluded their investigation in regards to a theft from the local Zellers store. On January 30th, 2006 police received information that a female had allegedly stolen a barbecue from the store. The theft occurred in the early evening of January 27th, 2006.

Charged with Theft is Sirena MCINTYRE (21) of Elliot Lake. MCINTYRE is scheduled to appear in court on March 7th, 2006.

Anyone with information regarding the above Theft is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477.

Investigation continuing.

Shoplifting is a Crime

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) The East Algoma OPP has charged a 21year old female with theft. On February 18th, 2006 police were contacted to attend a local retail store regarding a possible theft. Investigation revealed that the suspect had attempted to leave the store without paying for an item.

Charged with Theft is Sirena MCINTYRE (21) of Elliot Lake. MCINTYRE is scheduled to appear in court on March 7th, 2006.

Assault at Local High School

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) On February 17, 2006 police attended a local high school in Elliot Lake regarding an assault. On scene police learned that a 17-year old male had been assaulted during lunch period.

A 15-year old male of Elliot Lake has been charged with Assault. The name of the suspect can not be released as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on April 4th, 2006.

Investigation continuing.

Moving Violation Leads To The Search Of A Potentially Armed Individual

North Bay OPP are continuing their investigation after an officer stopped a vehicle for a moving violation on Highway 17 Commanda Township west of North Bay in the early hours of Saturday February 18th, 2006.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. that morning, Constable Kim Bowes stopped a black 2 door Honda motor vehicle regarding a moving violation. The officer discovered that the driver had been drinking alcohol. There were two males in the vehicle. While the Constable was conducting her investigation on the driver, the passenger ran away from the vehicle into the bush with a package.

The North East Region OPP Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.) and Canine were immediately dispatched to search for the male. It was later discovered that the male may be in possession of a firearm. To ensure public safety, a roadblock was set up on Highway 17 between Highway 17B/Main Street and Beaucage Park Road west of North Bay, Ontario to facilitate the search. The West Nipissing Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service and the North Bay City Police greatly assisted with the road block along with members from the Noelville OPP.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. officers from the E.R.T. safely located the male in a residence north of Highway 17. The male declined medical treatment and is currently in custody with the driver at the North Bay OPP awaiting charges.

24 year old Benjamin ARTUS of Cornwall, Ontario and 23 year old Jeffery LAMARRE of North Bay, Ontario have been charged with the following offences:

1. Possession of property obtained by crime - under $5000 (both subjects).
2. Unauthorized possession of firearm (both subjects).
3. Break & enter with intent to commit (both subjects).
4. Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose (Lamarre).
5. Unauthorized possession of weapon (Lamarre).
6. Fail to report finding a firearm (Lamarre).
7. Over 80 mgs (Artus).

A court date has been set for April 4th 2006 in North Bay.

Snowmobiler Dies on St. Joseph Island

On Saturday February 18, 2006 at approximately 7:30 pm the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP were advised that two snowmobiles had gone through the ice on Lake Huron, near the St. Joseph Island bridge in the North Channel.

Four couples had been out snowmobiling in the St. Joseph Island area. Three couples were doubled up and a fourth couple was riding on their own snowmobiles. As the group approached the St. Joseph Island Bridge the two lone snowmobiles veered to far to the north encountering thin ice. Both snowmobiles went through the ice.

Bruce HARDY (33) from Bruce Mines, Ontario was pulled from the water and transferred to Matthews Memorial Hospital on St. Joseph Island. Bruce HARDY was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Melissa HARDY (32) from Bruce Mines, Ontario was pulled from the water and transferred to Matthews Memorial Hospital on St. Joseph Island. Melissa Hardy was treated for hypothermia and released from hospital.

The three other couple’s snowmobiles did not go through the ice. The couples were transferred to Matthews Memorial Hospital where they were treated for varying degrees of non-life threatening hypothermia.


Poor Weather Keeps HWY 17N Closed

Hwy 17, north of Sault Ste Marie, between Batchawana and Wawa remains closed this morning because of bad weather.

This stretch of Hwy 17 was originally shut down on Saturday morning because of a collision involving six tractor trailers. A combination of poor weather and zero visibility resulted a chain reaction crash with the six trucks.

An attempt to re-open Highway 17 between Batchawana and Wawa on Saturday night resulted in further collisions and downward turn in weather conditions. It was closed again late Saturday night and remains closed at this hour.

Radar weather Internet sites are showing another weather front that is coming in off Lake Superior severely affecting Hwy 17 between Batchawana and Wawa. Visibility along that stretch of the Trans Canada Highway remains poor to zero. OPP along with the MTO are monitoring the situation on a continual basis.

Travelers attempting to use that section of Hwy 17 are being stopped in Batchawana and Wawa because that is the last place of safe refuge between the two towns.

HWY 17 N Re-Opened

Officials with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Transportation have re-opened Hwy 17 between Batchawana and Wawa.

This stretch of the Trans Canada Highway has been shut down since late Saturday night. Driving conditions remain less than ideal throughout that area. Motorists attempting to use Hwy 17 between Wawa and Sault Ste Marie are being asked to drive according to the weather conditions and slow down in bad weather.

Some reports received by the OPP are indicating that there is a prediction of isolated snowfall in that area possibly accumulating up to 50 (fifty) centimeters