Wednesday, August 27, 2003

ARMED AND DANGEROUS YOUTH AT LARGE
On August 24th, 2003 at approximately 4:00 pm, a 15-year-old male escaped lawful custody of the Youth Centre located at 631 Second Line West.

The youth ran from the courtyard through an open gate. He is described as an aboriginal male, 170 cm tall, weighing 68 kg with a medium build, brown hair and eyes. His last known address was 826 Second Line East, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. He was in custody awaiting trial on four counts of Armed Robbery.

He should be considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS. If seen, he should not be approached but police should be contacted immediately. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service currently has an arrest warrant for him for escaping lawful custody.

Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to contact the City Police at 949-6300, extension 210 or Crimestoppers at 942-7867.


FRAUD ALERT
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Fraud Unit has received several complaints from local businesses and citizens that they have received letters from a South African businessman who claims to have access to large account of money.

The businessman, identified as Mr. Frank Yakubu, states in his letter that he has access to an account with a large quantity of money in it and if the respondent claims to be a relative to person who belongs to the money, he and his partner will take 60% of the money and leave the respondent 35% to 40% of the remaining cash.

Detectives are currently investigating this scheme as a fraud. They caution the public not to respond to this letter and to notify them at 949-6300 with any information they may have on this investigation.


YOUTH ARRESTED FOR STEALING BIKE
On the 15th of June at approximately 9:00 pm at 293 Bay Street, a 15-year-old male stole a bicycle from Laura Secord entrance of the station mall. The victim reported his bicycle stolen to mall security and an investigation was commenced.

Yesterday at 8:20 pm, detectives completed their investigation into this incident and arrested and charged a 15-year-old male with theft of the bicycle and Breach of Probation. He will appear in court in mid October to answer to the charge.


ARRESTED FOR MISCHIEF
Early today, at 3:45 am, patrol officers were called to the New Marconi Restaurant at 480 Albert Street West about a report that a male had just broken the front window.

Officers noted that a front window of the business had been smashed and that a male was in the bushes adjacent to the broken window. Officers arrested and charged Gregory Lacrosse, age 46 of no fixed address, with attempted Break and Enter. He will appear in bail court today.


BREAK & ENTERS
Yesterday morning the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service received two break and enter calls from homeowners in the 400 block of North Street where thieves had broken into their garages.

It appears that sometime overnight on August 25th to the morning of August 26th thieves broke into the private garages and went through cupboards and drawers before removing a Snap On timing light and some collectible cars in boxes.

In another break and enter call at 2:40 am this morning, the owner of Fashion First at 290 Wellington Street West advised Police that thieves had unsuccessfully attempted to enter the business.

At 2:51 am, a homeowner on Morin Street advised officers that thieves had entered her home and stolen a wallet from a purse and then left the home.

Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300 or Crime Stoppers.