Sault police say they have returned more than $25,000 worth of stolen property as part of a joint investigation that targeted two break-and-enter suspects.
The investigation began on Aug. 24, when officers were called to a break-in on Northern Avenue. Later that day — with the help of the Ontario Provincial Police and the Anishinabek Police Service — Sault police executed two search warrants: one in the 100 block of Wallace Terrace, where the two suspects lived, and another in the 100 block of Sweet Grass Street in Garden River First Nation.
“During the searches, officers located a rifle and a stun gun, stolen property from the break and enter, and a bicycle which had been reported stolen in 2021 and was valued at approximately $7,000,” says a news release issued today by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “In total, officers were able to recover and return more than $25,000 worth of stolen property.”
On Aug. 30, six days after the search warrants were executed, police located both suspects. Melanie Mackan, 35, was arrested during a traffic stop on Sherbourne Street, while Seth Willison, 24, was located in the 200 block of Wellington Street West.
Mackan is charged with:
- unauthorized possession of firearm
- careless storage of firearm
- unauthorized possession of weapon
- possession of property obtained by crime – over $5,000
Willison is charged with:
- unauthorized possession of firearm
- possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
- careless storage of firearm
- unauthorized possession of weapon
- possession of property obtained by crime – over $5,000
- failure to comply with release order
Mackan was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear back in court on Nov. 6. Willison is being held in custody pending a bail hearing.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and both suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty.