Tuesday, July 14, 2009

FOUL PLAY RULED OUT IN OPP DEATH INVESTIGATION OF
NISHNAWBE-ASKI CONSTABLE WILFRED CHUM

(COCHRANE, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police have completed their investigation into the death of Wilfred CHUM, a Constable with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) and have determined that foul play was not involved.

Constable CHUM, a 58 year-old Cochrane resident went missing on June 18, 2009 after a boat that he and a local Peawanuck community member were in, capsized on the Winisk River near Peawanuck, Ontario. The boat capsized when the two men experienced difficulties while on the water. Wilfred Chum did not make it to shore.

On July 9, 2009 CHUM’s body was located by members of the Moose Factory Search and Rescue on the tidal flats of Hudson Bay, approximately 15 kilometres east of the mouth of the Winisk River.

A search for Constable CHUM was immediately initiated on June 18, 2009 and involved the Moose Factory Search and Rescue, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre - Trenton Search and Rescue, the Canadian Rangers, the OPP and community members. The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit and Emergency Response Team also traveled to the community on two separate occasions to assist in the search and worked with the other search teams in an effort to locate Constable CHUM.

An autopsy was conducted in Sudbury on July 10, 2009.

The investigation was conducted by members of the Cochrane OPP Detachment Crime Unit and the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Crime Unit under the direction of A/ Detective Inspector Shawn Glassford of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.

MANITOULIN OPP RECOVER BODY OF MISSING BOATER

OPP DIVERS RECOVER BODY FROM NORTH CHANNEL

(Honora Bay, Ont.) – The OPP Underwater Search & Recovery Unit have located the body of a missing boater in the waters of the North Channel. On Sunday 12 July 09 at 3:03 pm Manitoulin O.P.P. received a call from family members who advised a 42 year old male who was operating a personal watercraft (Jet ski) went missing in the waters of the North Channel near Honora Bay approximately 12 kilometres west of Little Current.

The male and his family were visiting relatives on Manitoulin Island when he decided to go for a ride on a personal watercraft on Sunday afternoon. He was a about a kilometre from shore when a mishap occurred and he entered the water. Family members and cottage owners attempted to locate the male with negative results.

Manitoulin OPP officers were dispatched to the scene along with the Manitoulin OPP Marine Unit vessel. A search was conducted with the assistance of the UCCM Tribal Police vessel, and the Ministry of Natural Resources vessel. The OPP helicopter Unit was dispatched and conducted an aerial search along with the Coast Guard helicopter from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. Members of the OPP Emergency Response Team and the North Shore Search and Rescue Team conducted a shore line search of the area. The OPP Underwater Search & Recovery Unit were dispatched to attend from their base in Orillia, Ontario

The search resumed on Monday the 13 July and continued on Tuesday the 14 July 09 when at 11:30 am members of The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit located the body of the missing boater in the waters of Honora Bay area in the North Channel. The local coroner has ordered a post mortem examination on Wednesday the 15 July 09 in Sudbury to determine the exact cause of death. The deceased has been identified as Ferdinand LIZARES, age 42 of 1 Seppala Road, Lively, Ontario.

This incident is being investigated by members of the Manitoulin O.P.P.

STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE RECOVERED

(Bruce Mines, ON.) – On Saturday July 11, 2009 members of the East Algoma OPP were advised of a stolen motor vehicle heading eastbound from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The motor vehicle was located in Bruce Mines on Highway 17 at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Steven Douglas John LYNN (39) of Thunder Bay has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Breach of Probation. He is scheduled to appear in bail court today in Sault Ste. Marie.

The motor vehicle was stolen from Thunder Bay and was described as a silver Mazda car valued at approximately $8000.

VEHICLE BROKEN INTO

(Aweres Twp., ON) – A vehicle was broken into Monday night in Fisher Trailer Park in Aweres Township between 1:00 and 4:00 a.m.

Numerous items were stolen including a satellite radio, stereo system and boat motor.

Anyone with any information on this or other crimes is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.saultcrimestoppers.com or the Sault Ste. Marie OPP detachment at 1-888-310-1122.