Friday, May 16, 2003

YOUTH AVOIDS SHOPLIFTING CHARGE
Yesterday at approximately 10:45 a.m. a 14-year-old female was at the ladies wear department at Zellers, 306 Northern Avenue, and took one blue t-shirt and a leather belt.

She then proceeded to leave the store without making any attempt to pay for the items. Staff from the store apprehended her. Police officers were called to the store and in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the youth has to complete by May 25 with a two-page essay on "why theft is wrong," along with an essay apologizing to Zellers. The parties agreed on the settlement. No formal charges were proceeded with.


CHARGED WITH FRAUD
On April 11, Gerald Fitzgerald, age 74 of 296 James Street was at A&P, 248 Northern Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Fitzgerald allegedly filled out a cheque cashing and savings card application identifying himself as James Gerald Fitzgerald of Sault Ste. Marie.

He then allegedly purchased just under $100.00 in groceries and presented a personal cheque on his account.

On April 12, Fitzgerald went again to the A&P, 248 Northern Avenue where he purchased over $250.00 in groceries and presented a personal cheque on his account.

On April 16, Fitzgerald was at A&P, 248 Northern Avenue where he purchased over $300.00 worth of groceries and presented a personal cheque on his account.

Staff at A&P advised detectives in the Fraud Unit of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service that all three cheques written by Gerald Fitzgerald on his account were returned NSF.

On April 17, Fitzgerald went to the A&P, 150 Churchill Boulevard and purchased over $1,300.00 in groceries. Once again he presented a personal cheque on his account to pay for the items. That cheque was also returned NSF.

Yesterday at 2:30 pm, detectives from the Fraud Unit of the Investigation Services Section arrested and charged the accused with four counts of Fraud Under $5,000.00 and four counts of False Pretences. He will appear in court on June 16th.


MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
Yesterday at approximately 2:00 pm, the accused, a 23-year-old male from the city's east end assaulted his girlfriend who is in her early twenties by pushing her head against a wall at the Wellington Square Mall. The assault followed a loud domestic argument.

Patrol officers were called to the scene but were unable to locate the accused. Officers did learn that the accused was on probation with a condition to not molest, harass or physically interfere with the victim. At approximately 3:00 pm police were advised that the accused had gone to the victim's apartment and barricaded himself, alone, in it. The accused was threatening to harm the victim and himself.

Officers from the Emergency Services Unit were called to the east end apartment and spoke to the accused. At 4:00 pm he surrendered to police on his own accord, without incident. He was arrested and charged with Assault, Threatening Death or Bodily Harm and Breach of Probation. He will appear in bail court today.


DOMESTIC DISPUTE
Last evening at shortly after 11:00 pm, police officers were called to a residence in the city's west end where a 36-year-old male had a domestic dispute with his common-law spouse.

Police learned that the male assaulted the female by hitting her. The victim did not require medical treatment. At 11:15 pm the accused male was arrested and charged with Assault. He will appear in court on June 23rd.


BREACH OF PROBATION
Yesterday at approximately 11:55 pm, patrol officers located Michael Brouillard, age 27 of 238 Brown Street at a bar on Second Line West.

Brouillard was on a recognizance of bail to abstain from the consumption of alcohol, along with a curfew with the conditions to be in his residence from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, except Friday and Saturday.

Officers noted Brouillard had the odour of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. He was arrested and charged with Breach of his Recognizance and Breach of Probation. He will appear in bail court today.


BREAK & ENTER
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service investigated two attempted break in occurrences yesterday. At 1:50 pm Police were advised that thieves have been attempting to enter the rear door of a business on Bruce Street. Officers learned that over the past several weeks thieves have been trying to gain access to the business through the rear door but were unsuccessful.

At 7:55 pm, a homeowner on Albert Street West reported that thieves were unsuccessful at entering their home.

Members of the public are asked to report any suspicious activity in and around homes or businesses to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300. A simple call can make the area where you live, work and play much safer for everyone! And the public is reminded that anyone with information theses attempted break ins can call Crime Stoppers, where May is double rewards month for Break and Enter tips that lead to an arrest