Friday, June 25, 2010

SUSPICIOUS MALE ASKING FOR MONEY

Over the last few days the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has received several calls regarding a suspicious male.

The incidents occur between midnight and 4 am. The male has been knocking on doors and indicates a family member has been in an accident and that he needs money for a tow truck. Investigations into these complaints have shown his claims to be untrue.

The male has been at addresses all over the city. A number of people have provided money to the male. The suspect claims to be an acquaintance of family members or that he has done work for them in the past many years ago.

The male is described as being Caucasian with a shaved head, goatee and dressed in work type clothing. The male has been seen driving a Hyundai Elantra blue in colour.

If this male shows up at your door, do not hand over any money and contact the Sault Ste Marie Police Service at 949-6300

CITY POLICE ENFORCE CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING

A review of motor vehicle collisions occurring in our city over the last eighteen months confirms that driver inattentiveness and driver distraction continue to one of the primary causes of all accidents.

Transport Canada estimates that a driver using an electronic device while driving is four times more likely, due to the distraction, to be in a motor vehicle collision.

With pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular safety continuing to be of the highest priority to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, stepped up education and enforcement is targeting drivers who continue to talk or text while using electronic devices.

Motorists are again reminded of the strict prohibition and of the serious consequences, beyond simply getting at ticket, when they choose to use these devices while driving.

Since February of this year, when the law fully came into force, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has issued thirty-one tickets (31) to motorists who continue to use these devices, in spite of the prohibition, while driving. The fine for these violations is set at $125.00 plus a $30.00 surcharge to a total of $155.00 and in some circumstances, fines may be as high as $500.00.

Appreciating that legislation permits "hands free" use of these devices enforcement to date has, in all circumstances, been where drivers were observed holding and talking on cell phones while their vehicle was in motion.

Questions as to the use of devices and the law as it pertains can be viewed on the Internet at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca or via email to the Sault Ste Marie Police Service website at [email protected] or directed to Traffic Services at 949-6300 ext 348.

Impaired Driver Arrested after his Vehicle Strikes a Construction Safety Sign on Great Northern Road

Last evening around 11:27 pm the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service received a call regarding a possible impaired driver on Great Northern Road. It is alleged that a male driver operating a 2001 Pontiac Montana van, struck a large orange reflector construction sign that was set up for a contracting company that was painting intersection road markings in front of the Cambrian Mall. The driver failed to stop after the collision. Moments later, officers on patrol in the area observed the Pontiac Montana van turn onto Tilley Road and stopped it. At the time they found the driver under the influence of alcohol and when they ran a check on him they discovered that he was a prohibited driver from a past consuming over the legal limit offence.
As a result, the driver, 46 year-old Steven Thomas of 13 Simon Avenue has been charged with one count of impaired driving, one count of consume over the legal limit, one count of drive while disqualified and one count of fail to remain at the scene of an accident under the Highway Traffic Act. He is to appear in bail court this morning.
Male Arrested and charged for Sexual Offences:
Yesterday afternoon, officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Investigations Unit arrested a 44 year old male at the station and charged him with one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual interference, one count of invitation to sexual touching and one count of sexual exploitation. The offences involved a female relative under the age of 16 and occurred between November 2007 and January 2010. The accused is to appear in bail court this morning.

Break and Enter Reports

•Paesano Foods on Wellington Street West was broken into around 3:23 am this morning. The alarm was activated and police attended and checked the area with negative results. The investigation is continuing and police will review video surveillance from the store.
• An apartment in the 500 block of Wellington Street West was reported entered sometime last week. Two iPods , a digital camera and some jewellery were reported taken.
• Two garages were reported entered. One on Cheshire Road and in the other in the 100 block of Central Street. A snowblower, a toolbox, tools and a welder were reported stolen.

Thefts

• Scrap metal car parts was reported stolen from a business in the 400 block of Pim Street.
• A vehicle on Carlbert Street was entered and some change and an 8 mega bite jump drive were reported stolen.
• A Specialized Hard Rock bike, black and gold in colour, with white rims was reported stolen from the West end.