Saturday, July 5, 2003

CHARGED IN ARMED ROBBERY
Richards Landing, St. Joseph Island

On Saturday, June 28, at 3:20am, officers from the Thessalon O.P.P. detachment were called to a robbery in progress at a confectionary store in Richards Landing on St. Joseph Island.

The storeowner was alerted by an audible alarm and found the culprits inside his store. Prior to police arrival a struggle ensued between the storeowner and the suspects and the owner was struck with a crowbar causing significant injury to his arm. He did manage to prevent any theft of goods from his store and provided police with a good description of the suspects.

Shortly thereafter, officers responding to the call pulled over a suspicious vehicle leaving the island. A consent search revealed that 2 persons matching the description of the suspects were hiding in the trunk along with evidence and tools used for break and enters. All 5 persons in the vehicle were arrested at that time.

As a result, Joseph Elie, age 21 of 43 Second Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie is charged with Break & Enter, Mischief under $5,000, Breach of Probation, and Robbery with Violence.

Also facing the same charges is Wesley Hallam, age 21 of 63 Foothill Road, Sault Ste. Marie. Hallam has an additional charge of Assault with a Weapon.

Police determined that the three people in the car but not in the trunk did not participate in the robbery and were not charged.


CYCLIST STRUNK BY PICK-IP
Trout Lake Road

Police are investigating a collision between and bicycle and a pick-up last night about 7:30 on Highway 17 near Trout Lake Road. Police say a 12-year-old boy rode his bike into the path of a northbound truck.

The driver of the truck tried to avoid the bike but struck the rear tire. The boy fell off and landed in the southbound lane. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet and received only minor injuries. He was taken to hospital for treatment. The truck driver was not injured.


VEHICLES COLLIDE
Trout Lake Road

While an O.P.P. officer was taking measurements for the bike/truck collision near Trout Lake Road (see above story), a northbound pick-up truck struck a southbound van. The truck hit the brakes to avoid another vehicle making a turn off the highway into a driveway.

The truck slid on the wet pavement, crossed the centreline, and struck the rear corner of the southbound van. Both vehicles received minor damage and there were no injuries.

The officer on the highway was fortunate that the van driver kept his vehicle under control. The officer could have been struck and seriously injured. The driver of the pick-up was charged.