NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE MARIE POLICE SERVICE
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On June 10, 2017 officers with the Patrol Services Division of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 28-year-old Allan Smythe-Lance of Northland Road in relation to various offences.
It is alleged that on May 30, 2017 the accused attended a convenience store on Wellington Street East where he selected over $200 in fireworks and left the store without paying for the items.
Later on June 5, 2017 the accused attended another convenience store on McNabb Street where he grabbed a donation box full of money and fled the area.
On June 7, the accused attended a business on Churchill Boulevard where he took a 49-inch television valued at $1,879 and left the store without paying for it.
The accused was confronted by a staff member while he was entering a vehicle and he slammed a car door on a staff member’s hand causing minor injuries before fleeing.
Later on June 7, the accused attended a store in the 500 block of Great Northern Road where he selected a gaming console valued at $299.99. The accused threatened a staff member with a screwdriver before leaving the store with the item.
On June 10, the accused attended another store in the 500 block of Great Northern Road where he selected a speaker valued at $300 and left the store without paying for the item.
The accused was recognized and confronted by an off duty officer while he was exiting the store and the accused then fled the area by getting into a waiting vehicle.
The vehicle was (allegedly) being operated by 23-year-old Reta Wanamaker of Sixth Line West. The officer followed the accused as they fled the area and was able to communicate to the driver through the window. He identified himself as a city police officer and demanded that the accused pull over and stop the vehicle.
The accused continued to flee the area and pulled into an area near Tadcaster Drive. When the vehicle exited Tadcaster Drive, the accused, Allan Smythe-Lance was now driving the vehicle.
Mr. Smythe-Lance increased his speed, began squealing the tires as he travelled through a stop sign at Tadcaster Drive and Northern Avenue without stopping.
The accused continued to operate the vehicle at a high rate of speed in multiple lanes of traffic as he was fleeing the area. The officer was able to call on duty units for assistance; however he lost sight of the accused in this area.
Just after 9 p.m. officers located both of the accused in the area of Boehmer Boulevard where they were both taken into custody without incident.
Allan Smythe-Lance has been charged with;
- 4 Counts of Theft Under $5,000,
- One count of Robbery,
- 7 Counts of Breach of Probation, and;
- One count of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
He was held for bail court. Reta Wanamaker has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000. She will appear in court on July 17, 2017.
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