Sault OPP recover over $200K in items stolen from local stores

EDITOR'S NOTE: Citing a news release from the OPP, an earlier version of this article said the accused is a Garden River man. Although he lives in Garden River First Nation, the accused is not Indigenous and not a member of the band.

A local man is facing a long list of charges after Sault OPP say they recovered $214,000 worth of stolen goods, including hundreds of items from Canadian Tire, Peavy Mart, Walmart, the Trading Post and Sal Dan Development.

The stash of stolen goods included 50 catalytic converters worth approximately $100,000, as well as high-priced construction equipment, police allege.

Officers also seized 10 firearms, $3,000 worth of suspected cocaine, $43,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency and a 2021 black Dodge Ram pickup truck, police say.

The investigation, which began in January, was “related to pre-arranged drug transactions and stolen property in the City of Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding communities,” says a news release issued today by the local OPP detachment.

On Feb. 8, shortly after 11 a.m., OPP officers conducted a traffic stop on Frontenac Street in Batchewana First Nation, arresting the driver.

Police also executed a search warrant at a residence on Sage Street in Garden River First Nation, with the assistance of the Anishinabek Police Service and Batchewana First Nation Police Service.

“Police seized approximately $37,000 in Canadian currency, approximately $5,000 in US currency, 50 Catalytic converters (approximate value of $100,000), Honda snow blower (approximate value of $4000), 10 firearms, over two grams of suspected cocaine, over nine grams of crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia,” the news release states.

Police say they recovered the following stolen retail property:

• More than 400 items from Canadian Tire valued at $31,000
• 40 items of construction equipment valued at more than $19,000
• More than 300 items from Peavy Mart valued at almost $24,000
• More than 200 items from Home Depot valued at almost $20,000
• More than 200 items from Walmart valued at almost $10,000
• More than 50 items from Marks Works Warehouse valued at $3,700
• Trading Post items valued at more than $1000
• Items from Sal Dan Development valued at approximately $1,200

Ralph ROMANO, 49, is charged with:

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Breach of firearms regulations-store firearm or restricted weapon
• Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on March 11, 2024.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and Romano is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Romano lives in Garden River First Nation but is not Indigenous and not a member of the band. 

"The Chief and Council of GRFN want to remind the public that 49 year old Ralph Romano is not, and has never been from Garden River First Nation," said a statement released Friday by Garden River Chief Karen Bell. "Mr. Romano is non-Indigenous and a not a band member. He resides in the community."

"The allegations against Mr. Romano are unacceptable and does not align with the 7 Grandfather Teachings which are at the core of our mission statement," she continued.