Friday, October 15, 2004

CHARGES LAID IN PICKET LINE INCIDENT
The City Police Service has charged 38-year-old Andrei Muntean of 1588 Wellington Street East in regards to the incident at the Border earlier today where a person on the picket line was struck by a vehicle.

It is alleged that a car driven Muntean sped through the picket line set up by members of the Public Alliance Service of Ontario. Mr. Muntean was stopped on the American side and was refused entry into the USA. He was turned over to the Sault Ste Marie City Police.

41-year old Gordon Brand of 169 Andrew St was taken to the SAH for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

Muntean has been arrested and charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one count of failing to remain at an accident under the Criminal Code of Canada. He will appear in court on November 22nd.


TURNED HERSELF IN
23-year-old Johanna Leveille of 1-754 Wellington Street East will appear in bail court today. Ms. Leveille turned herself into city police yesterday afternoon on outstanding warrants for failing to comply with conditions on a release document as well as one count of public mischief. The incidents are from the fall of last year.


OUTSTANDING WARRANTS
Last night shortly before 7:00, city police were called to the downtown regarding an intoxicated male. Officers located 48-year-old Caleb Stephen Perreault of 340 Highway 17 East, Garden River, and when they did a query of him they learned he was wanted.

Mr. Perreault was arrested on the outstanding warrants and will appear in bail court today. Mr. Perreault was wanted for a number of incidents from this summer stemming from 2 incidents of shoplifting.

He has been charged with 3 counts of failing to appear for fingerprints, one count of failing to appear in court, two counts of theft under $5,000 as well as being charged with being intoxicated in a public place.


DOMESTIC ASSAULT
A 29-year-old male will appear in bail court today after City Police went to a residence last evening for a domestic assault call. It is alleged that the male assaulted his common law wife by pushing her backwards causing her to strike the back of her head against a wall. The male has been charged with one count of assault.


TURNED BACK AT US BORDER
Yesterday morning shortly before 10:00, 59-year-old Nicholas Mihelic of 20 Grandview Avenue attempted to cross into the USA but was turned back after US Immigration confirmed with Canadian authorities that he was a suspended driver.

Mr. Mihelic was returned to Canada Customs where he was arrested by city police and charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle while disqualified. Mr. Mihelic will appear in court on November 15th.


ACCIDENT WITH INJURY
Yesterday afternoon shortly after 1:00, city police were called to the intersection of Cathcart and Hudson Streets regarding a motor vehicle collision with injuries.

A van being operated by Mary Lou McKee of 1 Village Court was travelling westbound on Cathcart Street.

A van being operated by Patty McKay of 180 Bitonti Crescent had stopped at the stop sign on Hudson Street, then pulled out of Hudson Street and turned left onto Cathcart Street colliding with the McKee vehicle.

Mrs. McKee was taken by ambulance to the Sault Area Hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Damage to the vehicles is described as moderate to severe. Mrs. McKay has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with improper left turn.


BRIDGE PLAZA BLUES
City police report they are continuing to monitor the traffic flow during the legal strike action being undertaken by members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. You should expect possible delays at the border when the picketers strike at this location.

Police suggest you allow extra travel time. If it is not necessary to cross the border you may want to avoid the area. Keep in mind the delayed traffic may overflow onto streets in the area of the bridge so preplan your travel route in the City to avoid this area.