Monday, May 29, 2006

Bear Alert

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources wish to advise the public of a bear that has been spotted in the central area of town.

Since May 22 there have been several reports of bears in the area of Old Garden River Road, Third Line East, Birkshire Place, Landslide Road and Case Road.

There have been two separate occasions recently in these areas. On one occasion a jogger was followed by a bear. And on the second occasion two girls were followed by a bear. In both of these incidents the bear did not indicate any fear of humans.

There have been no reports involving a bear of concern in the last couple of days. The Ministry of Natural Resources has set a trap in the area. The bear of concern has not been staying in one area therefore it is possible the bear may have moved on.

The public is reminded not to approach any bears. Although a bear may appear docile, they are still wild animals and may react negatively if they feel threatened or crowded.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is reminding anyone if they have contact with a bear in an immediate area to call them at 949-6300. If the bear appears to be threatening, persistent or aggressive dial 911.

To report a sighting of a bear in the distance contact the MNR Bear Wise Telephone line at 1-866-514-2327.

Three To Appear In Bail Court This Morning

1) A 46-year old male was arrested and charged on the 28th of May with two counts of breach of a release order and 4 counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that the accused and his girlfriend got into a verbal argument in her centrally located address. The accused left and went to his home. It is alleged that the accused continued to call the victim on the phone a number of time. The accused was on probation with terms as well as a release document with conditions. Some of the conditions and terms include not to consume alcohol, not to attend at the victim’s address, not to communicate with the victim and to be in his residence with curfew hours.

2) 24-year old Gordon Bussineau of no fixed address was arrested on the 28th of May just after 2 am. City Police were called to a downtown-drinking establishment when the accused failed to leave the premise when asked. A police query of the accused revealed that he was wanted on a warrant for one count of failing to attend court on a theft under $5,000 charge from May of last year. When the officers searched the accused they located a small knife in his jacket. The accused was also charged with one count of carry a concealed weapon.

3) A 47-year old female was arrested on the 28th of May in the evening hours and charged with one count of assault. It is alleged that the accused and her common law husband got into a verbal argument in their centrally located home and as a result of the argument the accused allegedly punched the victim in the face.

Impaired Drivers

60-year old Ralph Collins of 320 Goulais Avenue was arrested in the evening hours of May 26th. It is alleged that the accused was driving a vehicle northbound on Moss Road when the accused drove into a tree in the 500 block of Moss Road. Police were called and Mr. Collins was charged with one count of consume over the legal limit. When officers arrested the accused they located approximately 1 gram of marijuana on him. The accused was additionally charged with one count of possession of a controlled drug or substance. The accused will appear in court on June 26th.

43-year old Vincenzo Fronzi of 293 Douglas Street was arrested and charged on the 27th of May with one count of impaired driving, one count of consume over the legal limit and one count of possession of a controlled drug or substance. Just after 9 pm City Police attended in the downtown area in regards to an impaired driver. Police had received information about a possible impaired driver in the area of Queen Street West and Gore Street. The vehicle was observed traveling west on Queen Street West and was stopped on John Street. When officers approached the accused he displayed obvious signs of being impaired. A search of the accused revealed a small quantity of marijuana. The accused will appear in court on July 10th.

Drugs & Breach of Probation

35-year old Michael Cooper of 874 Queen Street East was charged on the 26th of May with one count of possession of a controlled drug or substance and 3 counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that the accused was with a female when the police spoke to the accused. A check of the male revealed that some of the terms of Mr. Cooper’s probation included not to be with the female and not to communicate with her. It if further alleged that the accused attempted to hide a small quantity of marijuana from the officers. The accused will appear in court on June 26th.

Mischief

29-year old Eugene Syrette of 984 Highway 17 East, Garden River was arrested on the 28th of May and charged with one count of mischief under $5,000. It is alleged that the accused punched and broke the glass window of an entrance door into a building in the 100 block of South Market Street. The accused will appear in court on July 10th.

Two Motor Vehicle Collisions

1) On Saturday May 27th just after 10 am City Police attended at Byrne Street and Morin Street for a collision involving two cars. 84-year old Ruby Sharp of 285 Douglas Street was traveling eastbound on Byrne Street. It is alleged that a car operated by 44-year old Giuseppina Lucas of 24 West Dunrobin Bay was traveling southbound on Morin Street. The Lucas vehicle stopped for a stop sign and then proceeded into the intersection striking the Sharp vehicle. Mr. Lucas and his two passengers were taken by ambulance to the Sault Area Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Mrs. Sharp received non-life threatening injuries but did not require medical treatment at the time. The Lucas vehicle was demolished and the Sharp vehicle was severally damaged. Mr. Lucas has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario with one count of fail to yield to through traffic on highway.

2) On Sunday May 28th around 9:30 pm City Police attended at the intersection of Queen Street West and John Street for a collision involving two vans. A van operated by 30-year old Edward Lay of 81 Adrian Drive was traveling westbound on Queen Street East. A van operated by 19-year old Jessica Wright of 103 Marconi Street was traveling southbound on John Street and allegedly failed to stop and struck the Lay vehicle. The impact resulted in the Lay vehicle rolling over and coming to a stop on it’s hood. Mr. Lay was taken by ambulance to the Sault Area Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The Lay vehicle was demolished in the collision and the Wright vehicle sustained moderate damage. Miss. Wright has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario with one count of careless driving.