Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Manitoulin woman trapped after single-vehicle collision

On Wednesday January 5 at 1:20 p.m. a 2002 Grey Pontiac four-door vehicle was southbound on Highway 6 on Great Cloche Island about 2 kilometres north of the swing bridge in Little Current. The vehicle left the roadway entering the left ditch where it struck a frozen pile of gravel and went airborne landing in a swamp. Police arrived on scene to find a 63-year-old woman trapped in the vehicle with serious injuries. The N.E.M.I. fire dept were called and extricated the trapped woman where she was then taken to the Manitoulin Health Centre by ambulance. Constable Martin Bain is the investigating officer
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House fire caused by woman playing with matches

On Thursday January 6 at 9:15 a.m. Manitoulin OPP along with the Assiginack Volunteer Fire Department were called to a house fire on Walcot Street in the village of Manitowaning. Police arrived on the scene to find the house filled with thick smoke and all family members had escaped the house safely. The fire dept was able to extinguish the fire however the house was destroyed inside due to fire, smoke and water damage. Upon investigation of the fire it was learned that the fire started by a four-year-old playing with an old-style lighter, which was not a safety lighter. The lighter had a flip cap and thumbwheel that can be turned and causes sparks which in turn ignites the fumes and liquid fuel. The lighter was dropped on a couch where the fire quickly spread through the inside of the house. The investigating officer was Constable Martin Bain with the assistance of Assiginack Fire Chief Allan Elliot. Constable Allan Boyd Community Services Officer for the Manitoulin O.P.P. wants to warn the public of the dangers of these older lighters. Today newer lighters have a safety device on the disposable lighter, which prevents the flame from continuing once the lighter is put down. The older style lighter, which was in this case, had a metal flip cap and once the flame was ignited it would not go out unless the cap is flipped back down. These types of lighters can be very dangerous in the hands of children so we urge the public to use caution and make sure the lighters are out of reach of children.

Shoplifters are caught and charged

Manitoulin O.P.P. have responded to two calls this past week where people were caught shoplifting from two Manitoulin businesses. On Thursday January 6 at 11:51 a.m. a male youth entered the West Bay General Store on Highway 540 in Billings Township. Once in the store the youth was observed to allegedly remove some items without paying for them. Police were called the youth was arrested charged with theft under $5,000 and was released on a promise to appear in youth court and turned over the custody of his mother. Constable John Robertson is the investigating officer.

On Saturday January 8 2005 at 1:43 p.m. a female entered the IDA Pharmacy on Water Street in Little Current and was allegedly observed to place items in a plastic bag she was carrying she then she was confronted by the store staff. She then fled the scene and was arrested a short time later by police. As a result of the investigation Kathleen Scott age 32 of Little Current has been charged with one count of Theft under $5000. She was released on a promise to appear for Gore Bay Criminal Court. Constable Martin Bain is the investigating officer.


Constable Allan Boyd Community Services Officer wants to remind the public that Shoplifting is a crime. Shoplifting is Theft and theft is a criminal offense. Many people feel that the stores can afford items being taken when in reality they can’t. Businesses survive on a small profit margin and when items are stolen this effects everyone as prices are increased to reflect this margin so in a nutshell we all end up paying for it in the long run. The O.P.P. fully supports businesses and encourages to report shoplifting incidents regardless of the cost of the item being taken. If the investigation warrants, charges will be laid.