Tuesday, December 2, 2008

CULPRITS SPRAY PAINT SCHOOL AND VAN

(Elliot Lake, Ontario) The East Algoma OPP is currently investigating two (2) separate mischiefs in the City of Elliot Lake.

Sometime between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on December 1, 2008 unknown person(s) spray-painted a van on Hemlock Place. During the same time span unknown person(s) attended the rear of a school on Central Avenue and spray painted words and phrases. Both incidents may be related as the same color or paint was used in both incidents.

If you need money and you may have information regarding the above mischief please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Investigation continuing.

OPP Marine Response to Batchewana First Nations Firsherman Distress Call

Chief Sayers of the Batchewana First Nations raised concerns as to the OPP response to one of their Communities Commercial Fisherman’s distress call on the 25th of November. While the captain of the vessel called home at 2:30 p.m. with a broken cell phone call stating they were having engine trouble the OPP were not called until 4:50 p.m. when the vessel did not arrive at port. The OPP immediately initiated a response to the call for assistance. The Canadian Coast Guard Center in Thunder Bay was called requesting assistance of any other commercial vessels in the area. The Canadian Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Trenton was called and were advised of the occurrence. The US Coast Guard was called and agreed to provide assistance and the OPP launched a 17 foot vessel which had been placed in heated storage 2 days prior this occurrence. A family member who eventually found the broken down vessel also launched a boat.

One very important lesson to be learned from this incident is the critical need for any vessel, pleasure craft or commercial to have a good quality marine radio on board. These radio’s allow for communications with the coast guard and other vessels on the lake. These commercial fisherman work late into December and are aware that the OPP’s marine units are off the lake and out of service by late November and any emergency response will take time to organize.

RIDE Checks

The OPP continued their Festive RIDE program on Monday setting up three check locations. Of the 172 vehicles checked a driver on Hwy# 17 in Garden River was discovered to be a Prohibited Driver. Charged with Driving while prohibited contrary to section 259(4)(a) of the Criminal Code and Drive while under suspension contrary to section 53 of the Highway Traffic Act was Richard Steven HNAKUIK age 41 of Hwy# 17 Garden River. The vehicle driven by Mr. HNAUIK was also impounded for 7 days.

Police Lay Charges In Sexual Assault Investigation

(Blind River, ON.) – An Elliot Lake man faces charges following a sexual assault investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police.

In order to protect the identity of the victim, the accused person’s name is not being released.

The accused, a teacher with the Catholic School Board of the Nouvel Ontario, has been charged with the following;

One count of sexual assault contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code, four counts of sexual exploitation contrary to section 153 of the Criminal Code and one count of breach OIC undertaking contrary to section 145 (5.1) of the Criminal Code.

The accused is currently being held pending a bail hearing on December 2, 2008 in Sault Ste. Marie.

MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION CLAIMS ONE LIFE

(Spanish, Ontario) On Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at approximately 3:20 a.m. the East Algoma OPP was advised of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 17 in Spanish, Ontario.

Investigation revealed that the incident involved a minivan and a pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the victim will not be released due to the ongoing investigation. Next of kin has been notified.

The highway was closed for approximately 8 ½ hours from 3:30 a.m. until approximately 12:00 p.m.

The investigation is continuing by members of the East Algoma OPP and the OPP’s Technical Traffic Collision Investigators.

No charges have been laid.