Monday, June 2, 2008

City police have responded to several bear sighting complaints throughout the city in the past week.

The public is reminded not to approach any bears. Although a bear may appear docile, they are still wild animals and may react negatively if they feel threatened or crowded.

The Sault Ste Marie Police Service is reminding anyone if they have contact with a bear in an immediate area to call them at 949-6300. If the bear appears to be threatening, persistent or aggressive, dial 911.

To report a sighting of a bear in the distance contact the MNR Bear Wise Telephone line at 1-866-514-BEAR (2327).

Here are some tips you can use to reduce your chances of having contact with a bear and what to do if you are approached by a bear.

• Remain calm. Often the bear is just passing through and, if it finds no food source, will simply move on. Your residence may be located in or near the bear’s natural habitat.
• If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone. Remove people and dogs from the area. The bear will ordinarily come down and leave when it feels safe. This is usually after dark.
• Keep away from the bear, do not block its exit and warn others to keep away as ell. Bring your children and pets into the house.
• Be careful with how you store and dispose of your garbage and keep your property clean from things known to attract bears.


Three Domestic Related Arrests

1) A 46 year-old female was arrested on the 31st of May at 6:35 pm at her residence and charged with one count of assault, one count of threatened death or bodily harm and three counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that on the 31st of May the accused attended at her girlfriend’s residence, got into a verbal argument with her, threatened to kill her and assaulted her by pushing her. At the time of the incident the accused was on probation with conditions not to communicate with the victim, or to attend at her residence. The accused was also under the influence of alcohol at the time and on further conditions that she not consume any alcohol.

2) A 21 year-old male was arrested on the 1st of June at 4:14 am and charged with three counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that on the 1st of June at approximately 1:30 pm the accused attended at his ex-girlfriend’s residence in an intoxicated condition, got into a verbal argument with her and refused to leave. It is further alleged that the accused through several of her belongings around the residence. At the time of the incident the accused was on probation with conditions that he not molest, harass or annoy the victim, he was to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and was not to consume any alcohol.

3) A 21 year-old male was arrested on the 31st of May at 7 am at his residence and charged with one count of assault and two counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that on the 31st of May around 5:20 am the accused, that had been drinking alcohol all evening, became agitated and began to destroy items inside the residence. It is further alleged that he assaulted his common law spouse by pushing her to the floor into a pile of broken glass. The victim received non-life threatening injuries. At the time of the incident the accused was on probation conditions to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

All three accused in the above domestic related arrests are to appears in bail court is morning.

Impaired driving a Drug Charges

22 year-old Tyler Tomas of 128 Chestnut Street was arrested on the 2nd of June at 2:35 am on Conmee Avenue and charged with one count of impaired driving, one count of consumer over the legal limit, three counts of breach of probation and one count of possession of a controlled drug or substance. It is alleged that on the 2nd of June at approximately 2:08 am city police observed a Chrysler Intrepid travelling westbound on Second Line East near North Street weaving in and of the lanes. The vehicle continued to weave after turning on Carmen’s way and was stopped on Conmee Avenue. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and when officers ran a check on him they discovered that he was on probation with curfew conditions to be in his residence eat 11 pm, to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, and to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and non-prescription drugs.
Officers also located a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle and a male passenger, 3 year-old Christopher Duclos of #906-627 Macdonald Avenue was also charged with one count of possession of a controlled drug or substance.
They are both to appear in court on the 7th of July.

Counterfeit Money Charges

44 year Edward Martel of 8 Herrick Street was arrested on the 31st of May at 2:28 pm on East Street and charged with one count of possession of counterfeit money and one count of uttering counterfeit money. It is alleged that on the 31st of May the accused attended at the Sault Area Hospital Gift Shop and passed a $100.00 counterfeit bill to the clerk and purchased a gift valued at $18.63 and received change in the amount of $81.37.
He is to appear in court on the 7th of July.

Youth Charged With Drug Trafficking Offences

A 17 year-old male youth was charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled drug or substance and one count of breach of probation. It is alleged that on the 30th of May around 3 pm city police received a call from Station Mall Security to assist with a suspicious male that was in possession of drugs. Prior to police arrival, the accused had fled on foot and dropped a bag of marijuana in the process. Officers located the male a short time later running on Queen Street near Tancred Street. The accused was found in possession of another bag of marijuana at the time of his arrest. He is to appear in court on the 8th of June.