Monday, February 14, 2005

Seven Disturbance Calls

Sault Ste Marie OPP responded to seven non-violent disputes over the weekend. The verbal disagreements involved spouses, older children and neighbours. It appeared that alcohol consumption was a factor in only half of the occurrences. Police and family members were able to defuse the situations. There were no reports of violence at any of the disputes. Police were not called to re-attend any of the seven locations.


Several Charges Laid

(Blind River, Ont.) - On Saturday night at approximately 8:45 p.m. an officer from East Algoma OPP stopped a vehicle for a Highway Traffic Act Offence.

Police spoke with the driver who did not have any of the proper documentation needed for the vehicle.

Subsequent checks revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from the Peel Region area.

Police arrested the subject and held him in custody.

Charged is 28-year-old Yves Alphonse COLLINS of no fixed address.

He was charged with:

- possession of stolen property under $5000
- drive motor vehicle – no licence
- drive without proper headlights

COLLINS has been held in custody and is to appear in bail court today, Monday February 14, in Sault Ste. Marie.

Bartender Has Problems

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) - On February 12, 2005 at approximately 12:21 a.m. the Elliot Lake OPP were dispatched to attend a local liquor and restaurant establishment regarding a possible altercation between workers and patrons. On scene it was learned that the bartender was having problems with some patrons taking their drinks outside. An employee approached the male advising him that he could not go outside with his drink. The man became argumentative. The employee insisted and when the patron refused to comply the beer was taken from the patron. The suspect then assaulted the victim.

Causing Disturbances

Later the same morning, police were called to attend another liquor establishment in regards to parties fighting with the staff. Three parties were located outside the restaurant. Investigation revealed that one male party had thrown a piece of wood through a window of a door. This male party was identified and police placed under arrest for Mischief. The suspect [allegedly]physically resisted arrest and when searched by police a switch blade (prohibited weapon) was located. The brother of the suspect [allegedly] became upset with police, swearing and yelling at police. Due to this party’s continued disturbance he was placed under arrest for Causing a Disturbance.

Charged with the following is Adam LAFONTAINE (25) of Sudbury:

- cause a disturbance
- obstruct and resist police officer
- breach of probation.

He is scheduled to appear in court on March 8.

Samson LAFONTAINE was also charged with the following;

- mischief under $5,000 X (2)
- obstruct and resist police officer
- unauthorized possession of a weapon

He is scheduled to appear in court on March 8, 2005.

Warrants are outstanding on individuals related to this incident.


Having an alarm proved to be a good thing

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) - Police attended a residence on Hillside Drive South on February 12, 2005 at approximately 1:20 a.m. in regards to an alarm.

On-scene police located a winder that had been pried open but it is believed that the culprit while making his entry triggered the audible alarm and left the area.

Investigation continuing.

Police Need Your Help!

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) - Police are currently investigating an incident involving a 2003 Red Yamaha Viper, 700cc snowmobile. The machine has been reported missing by the owner. The machine was last seen in the back yard of a friend on Mississauga Ave, February 9, 2005. The snowmobile bearing licence #926091 has a new red-colored windshield.

Also missing from another snowmobile parked in the same yard are four coil packs that plug into wiring then fit on the park plugs.

Value approximately $520.

Manitoulin OPP Warn Motorists to use Caution

(Manitoulin, Ont.) – Manitoulin OPP are warning motorists to use extreme caution if they have to travel. Manitoulin is currently experiencing heavy freezing rain and area highways are extremely slippery and dangerous. Manitoulin OPP have responded to many vehicle collisions across the island today. Manitoulin OPP are presently on scene investigating a collision in which an ambulance has rolled over on Highway 6 in the Whitefish River First Nation. The ambulance driver has been taken to hospital OPP advise if you don’t have to travel, stay put until the freezing rainstorm passes and highway crews can get area roads salted and sanded.

Manitoulin Woman Charged for Shoplifting

On Thursday the 10th February, a woman entered the IDA Pharmacy in Little Current. Once inside the store she asked the pharmacist for assistance in locating some medication. During this time she was observed to have several unpaid items on her person. The police were called and as a result of an investigation a female was arrested and charged, it was also learned that she has an outstanding warrant on a charge of failing to appear in court. Charged with theft under $5,000 is Sarah Bowerman-Jacko, age 24 of Little Current, Ontario. She was later released on a promise to appear in Gore Bay Provincial Court. Constable Randy Dedman is the investigating officer.

Detachment Commander’s Message About Policing for Results (PFR) Surveys Continuing

Staff Sergeant Bruce McCullagh would like to remind the public again that the PFR survey is still ongoing. A total of 366 surveys were required to be completed since the start in March 2004. To date, 148 surveys have been completed. Volunteers with the Manitoulin OPP Detachment will continue with their telephone calls until the remaining surveys are completed. These anonymous surveys will be conducted between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. weekly and the entire survey takes approximately 10 minutes.

This survey will provide vital information concerning community satisfaction with OPP services and programs. The phone numbers are all randomly selected through computers and the volunteers will not know the identity of the respondents. No personal questions will be asked other than the respondents’ age, in order to class them in age categories. Anyone wishing information on this survey is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to call the Manitoulin OPP Detachment at 1-705-368-2200.