Wednesday, May 21, 2003

DRUG BUST
Yesterday at 11:09 am, police officers from the Joint Forces Drug Unit executed a Controlled Drug and Substance Act search warrant on two apartments on Hawthorne Avenue.

Police discovered that one of the apartments was being used solely for an elaborate cannabis marijuana growing operation.

Police seized a large amount of metal halide lights, ballasts, light reflectors, fluorescent lights, growing medium, fertilizers, trays, fans, venting as well as cannabis marijuana plants in various stages of growth.

As part of the search, officers located a notebook describing marijuana growing particulars as well as a small amount of cannabis marijuana dried plant and at least two cannabis resin spliffs.

Initial seizure results estimate 22 mature plants, approximately 125-130 smaller plants along with several bags of dried marijuana well in excess of 30 grams. No street value has been estimated for the drugs at this time.

During the search, officers also located numerous firearms unsafely stored along with numerous lots of unsafely store ammunition.

At 1:05 p.m. Police Officers arrested and charged [a man], age 30 of 44 Hawthorne Ave.  with two counts of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm and Ammunition, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Drug and Production of a Controlled Drug.

A search of [the male]'s  residence revealed approximately an ounce of cannabis resin along with a scale and a collection of glass vials.

At 4:40 pm officers arrested and charged a second male in connection with this drug seizure. David Diotte, age 33 of 45 Grosvenor Avenue, was arrested as he arrived and tried to leave quickly in his truck.

Diotte was charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Drug and Production of a Controlled Drug.

Shortly before 9:00 pm, police officers arrested and charged a third accused, Richard Hurley, age 25 of 95 Paladin Avenue in connection with the discovery of the marijuana growing operation. He has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Drug for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Drug and Production of a Controlled Drug. All three accused will appear in court on June 30th.


BOY ASSAULTS WORKER
Yesterday at approximately 6:00 pm, a 16-year-old male assaulted a worker in the home where he was residing by grabbing him around the neck, biting and punching him.

The victim was punched several times and bitten in the forearm and shin area. The victim received minor injuries. The youth was on a probation order to keep the peace and be good. Patrol officers arrested and charged him with Assault and Breach of Probation under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He will appear in bail court today.


DOMESTIC DISPUTE
At 3:16 this morning, patrol officers were called to a residence in the city's north end for a domestic dispute where a 27-year-old male was outside the home calling a female names.

Officers found the male at the residence and noted the residence to have a large amount of blood on the floor. A search of the area located an adult female in the yard area, near the residence.

She had a cut to her right hand, an abrasion on her head and a swollen red face. She was transported to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. Police officers arrested and charged the male with Assault. He will appear in bail court today.


FEMALE ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT
At 4:07 am this morning, patrol officers were called to an Albert Street West residence for a domestic dispute.

Officers learned that a 20-year-old female had assaulted her 27-year-old male common-law spouse by slapping him in the face. The male's injuries were of a minor nature. Patrol officers arrested and charged the female with Assault. She will appear in court on June 30th.


At 4:09 am this morning Patrol Officers were called to another domestic dispute on Breton Road. Officers found an adult female victim outside her residence yelling that she was assaulted.

Officers learned that a 38-year-old male had assaulted the victim by pulling her hair and striking her head several times. Officers arrested and charged the male with Assault and Breach of Probation. He will appear in bail court today.


BREAK & ENTERS
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service investigated two break-ins yesterday. At 9:18 am, a homeowner on Goetz Street advised police that thieves had entered their garage and stole a bicycle.

At 10:30 pm last evening patrol officers were called to St. Theresa's School on Estelle Street for a break in.

Both matters are currently under investigation and anyone with information on these occurrences is asked to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300 or Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers advises that May is double reward month for tips leading to arrests for break and enter occurrences.