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Suspect already in custody arrested for November 2021 robbery

Accused was in custody at the Remand Centre on an unrelated matter at the time of his arrest
2020-08-04 City Police Stock BC
Sault Ste. Marie Police file photo. Brad Coccimiglio/SooToday

Officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service attended the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre on July 27 and arrested Justin Whalen in connection to a robbery that occurred on Nov. 1, 2021.

A news release issued today alleges that the 36-year-old accused attended a Cunningham Road residence and threatened two victims with a knife while demanding money.

Police say that a physical altercation between the accused and one of the victims resulted in Whalen sustaining an injury that left evidence at the scene.

At the time of his arrest, Whalen was in custody at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre on an unrelated matter.

Full text of the news release follows:

On July 27, 2022, officers with Investigation Services charged 36-year-old Justin Whalen in connection to a robbery and break and enter investigation on Cunningham Road.

Around 8 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2021, [it is alleged that] the accused entered a residence in the 0-100 block of Cunningham Road with their face covered and in possession of a knife. While inside the accused [is alleged to have] damaged a phone by pulling it from the wall. The accused [is alleged to have] then proceeded to the bedroom area where the two victims were asleep. The accused [allegedly] pointed the knife at one of the victims and demanded money. The victim and the accused became involved in an altercation and the victim suffered a minor scratch to the right arm and a black eye. The accused also received an injury, causing physical evidence to be left at the scene.

At this time, [it is alleged that] the accused stole a purse containing approximately $60 and fled the area. The victims and the accused are not known to each other.

Officers attended the scene and began an in-depth criminal investigation which included the collection of forensic evidence from the scene. The evidence collected at the scene was submitted for analysis and eventually resulted in a match for the accused.

On July 27, 2022, officers arrested the at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, where the accused is in custody on an unrelated matter.

The accused is charged with
    •    Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
    •    Assault
    •    Robbery with a weapon
    •    Possession of property obtained by crime
    •    Break and enter
    •    Wearing a disguise
    •    Mischief under $5,000 x2

The accused was remanded into custody.