4:25 p.m. update
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has issued the following news release in regards to this incident:
On Sept. 2, 2018 officers with the Patrol Services and Investigation Services Divisions of The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 23-year-old Jesse Thorne of Amber Street and 26-year-old John Dinner of Norma Crescent Ancaster, Ont. for dangerous operation of motor vehicle and assault with a weapon.
It is alleged that just after 2 a.m. Mr. Thorne engaged in an argument with people known to him in the parking lot of a business in the 0-100 block of Bay Street. The accused used a knife to threaten multiple people that were present and took a cellular phone belonging to one of the victims.
Officers attended and found that Mr. Thorne was wanted on outstanding warrants.
When officers attempted to arrest Mr. Thorne he began to fight with them. During the altercation Mr. Thorne struck one of the officers in the face and then made several attempts to disarm both officers.
Mr. Dinner was in a vehicle nearby and Mr. Thorne was able to get into that vehicle and then sat in the drivers seat with Mr. Dinner.
The vehicle then sped off and struck two officers at the scene. Nearby police units pursued the suspect vehicle for a short distance and stopped the vehicle on Dennis Street.
The suspect vehicle was being operated with both Mr. Dinner and Mr. Thorne in the drivers seat.
The accused males then attempted to flee by ramming the police vehicles that had surrounded it. Officers were able to enter the suspect vehicle and both males continued to struggle with the officers resisting arrest.
Both males were taken out of the vehicle and placed in custody on Dennis Street. The two officers that were struck by the vehicle were later transported to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Two additional officers received non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the events on Dennis Street.
Mr. Thorne has been charged with;
- One count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose,
- One count of threatening death,
- One count of theft under $5,000,
- Two counts of assault with a weapon,
- One count of assault causing bodily harm,
- One count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
- Three counts of operating a motor vehicle while disqualified,
- One count of assaulting a police officer,
- Three counts of breach of recognizance,
- One count of flight from police,
- Two counts of attempting to disarm a police officer,
- One count of resisting arrest, and;
- One count of escaping lawful custody
Mr. Dinner has been charged with;
- Two counts of assault with a weapon,
- One count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm,
- One count of flight from police,
- One count of resisting arrest
Both males were held for W.A.S.H court.
3:20 p.m. update
Const. Sonny Spina of City Police advises that the incident occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday and resulted in numerous injuries, some to police officers.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, Spina said.
He confirmed that the crime scenes near Gateway Casino and the downtown bus terminal were related.
Original story: 11:30 a.m.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is investigating what's believed to be a significant incident that occurred either early Sunday or late Saturday near the Sault Transit downtown terminal.
A section of Dennis Street was closed to traffic until 9:10 a.m. Sunday.
A neighbour reported seeing considerable police activity also in the area of the nearby Oddfellows Hall.
Witnesses report that police tape went up around the same time near the Gateway Casino.
It's not known if the police activity at the Dennis Street and casino locations was related.
City police are expected to make a statement about the incident.