Monday, June 22, 2009

SHOPLIFTING INCIDENT LEADS TO CHARGES

On Tuesday 16 Jun 09 at 6:35 pm – Manitoulin OPP attended Betty’s convenience Store located on Meredith Street in Gore Bay. Employees advise that a male attended the store and allegedly removed items from the store without paying for them. Police initiated an investigation which lead to a male being arrested and charged. Charged with Possession of Stolen Property under $5000 is Steven Baker age 18 of 7 Vanhorn Street, Gore Bay, Ontario. The accused was released and will be attending Gore Bay Criminal Court to answer to the said charge.

WATCHFUL BUS DRIVER REPORTS FAILING TO STOP

On Thursday 18 Jun 09 at 3:35 pm a driver for Robert Brown School Bus Lines observed a white Chevy van fail to stop for the school bus while the lights and stop arm was activated. A description of the van plus a partial plate leads Manitoulin OPP to locate the vehicle and warn the driver of their actions. Constable Allan Boyd Community Services Officer for the Manitoulin OPP reports that drivers of vehicles are required by law to stop for school buses while the red flashing lights and stop arm sign are extended. This also includes drivers of bicycles, failure to do so can lead to a $490.00 fine and 6 demerit points. However the worst outcome could be being responsible for the injury or death of a child.

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO LARGE DRUG SEIZURE

On Friday 19 Jun 09 at 8:31 pm on Highway # 6 on Great Cloche Island Manitoulin OPP stopped a 1998 Dodge Red Pick – up truck. Upon checking the vehicle a large quantity of alleged marihuana was located. As a result the driver was arrested and charged. Charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in a controlled Substance is Mathew Paul ESQUIMAUX age 20 of the Sheguiandah First Nation. He was released on a Promise to Appear for Gore Bay Criminal Court on 24 August 2009 in Gore Bay.

UPDATE - FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION – HIGHWAY 17


(Sudbury, ON) - On June 21, 2009 at 5:00 p.m., officers from the Sudbury OPP detachment responded to a three vehicle collision on Highway 17 at the intersection of Regional Road 55 (Whitefish), City of Greater Sudbury.

Investigation revealed that a northbound car on Regional Road 55 stopped at the intersection of Highway 17. The driver of the car proceeded to turn right (eastbound) onto Highway 17 across the path of two eastbound motorcycles. The first motorcycle struck the side of the car and the driver, TOKARYK, Gordon, age 58 of Hanmer was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second motorcycle, 21-year-old male of Sudbury, attempted to avoid the collision and slid into the rear of the car. He was transported to St. Joseph’s Health Centre by ambulance and treated for non-life threatening injuries. The 23-year-old female driver of the car and her passenger were also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A post mortem is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2009.

The investigation is continuing with the assistance of an OPP Collision Reconstructionist and a Technical Traffic Collision Investigator. Charges are pending.

Highway 17 was closed to eastbound traffic while officers conducted the on-scene investigation. Traffic was re-routed through Regional Road 55.

JOINT OPP AND MNR BOAT PATROLS

(Fenwick Twp., ON) – Officer’s checking a vessel on Friday evening on the Goulais River located open bottles of alcohol in the vessel.

Charged with Having Liquor in an Open Container contrary to the Liquor Licence Act is 30 year old Craig Pierman of 976 Pineshore Drive in Fenwick Township.

OBEY PARKING SIGNS AT HARMONY BEACH

(Goulais Twp., ON) - Summer is here and the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have been receiving complaints over the past weekend regarding parking at Harmony Beach.

Vehicles cannot park in the designated NO PARKING zones. These areas are to be kept clear for emergency vehicles.

Parking in these areas will result in a $110.00 fine as well as having your vehicle towed.

MALE ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

(Laird Twp., ON) – OPP officer’s stopped a vehicle Friday afternoon at 2:45 pm on Highway 17 in Laird Township for a Highway Traffic Act infraction.

Further investigation revealed the driver to be in possession of a small quantity of a substance believed to be Cocaine.

Arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act is 30 year old Richard Aldcroft of Edmonton, Alberta.

Aldcroft was released on a Promise to Appear for court on 20th July, 2009.

YOUTH CHARGED IN FAMILY DISPUTE

(Hodgins Twp., ON) - OPP officers were called to a residence in Hodgins Township on Saturday, 20th June, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. regarding family problems with a 15 year old female.

Investigation revealed that the youth was on Probation and had violated her conditions.

The youth was arrested and charged with Breach of Probation and Mischief contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

The youth is being held in custody pending a bail hearing today.

ATV SAFETY SITS SQUARELY ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE OPERATOR - ATV maintenance, operation and trail safety

(Manitoulin Ontario) - When you think you’re ready to hit the ATV trails, make sure you’ve completed your pre-trip inspection. Mechanical failure can mean more than a trailside inconvenience, brake failure on a sharp corner on downhill run could be a life threatening situation. Traveling on an ATV in Northern Ontario can easily distance the operator 30 to 60 kilometres away from home base. It makes good sense to perform regular preventative maintenance and to take the time to go over your machine using a pre-trip circle check.

• Wash the machine to easily identify damaged, worn or loose parts.
• Inspect the condition of the frame, engine guards, cables, grease fittings and fuel line.
• Check for twigs or rocks that may have become lodged in the frame.
• Check steering for excessive play and test suspension components.
• Tighten the wheels, check tire pressure and wear.
• Listen for excessive wheel and brake noise.
• Check that the battery has sufficient cranking power and that the throttle and choke operate smoothly.
• Check the running lights and the brake lights.
• Ensure the license plate is properly affixed.

Always operate your machine in a safe and responsible manner. Inexperienced riders operating a borrowed machine may drive beyond their capabilities with catastrophic results. An older style three-wheeled machine can easily become unstable and flip causing serious injury or death. Alcohol and speed often factor in ATV crashes. Quite simply, the responsibility for ATV maintenance, operation and trail safety sits squarely on the shoulders of the operator.

In 2008, North East Region OPP investigated five ATV deaths and so far in 2009, one ATV death.

Recreational ATVing is meant to be enjoyable but these machines should never be considered toys. Safety equipment, proper clothing and footwear are recommended and an approved motorcycle helmet is required by law.