Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Search Warrant Results with Numerous Charges Laid and Significant Drugs and Weapons Seizure

On the 21st of June at approximately 4:17 pm, members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Street Team and the Emergency Services Unit executed a search warrant at 9 Railroad Avenue, the residence of 35 year-old John Tyler (JT) Vipond. During the course of the search, officers located 180.5 grams of cocaine, 1.0 gram of cannabis marihuana, trace amounts of cannabis resin, 0.7 grams of cocaine for personal use, 5.1 grams of cannabis hashish, 8 oxycodone tablets, 25 cannabis marihuana plants growing in the garage of the premises, 24 bags of contraband cigarettes, with 200 in each bag (4800 cigs), various packaging materials, cutting agents, a digital scale, a debt list and $8060 in cash, which was seized as proceeds of crime. Officers also located four firearms including: a stolen loaded Smith and Wesson .22 calibre handgun which was taken from a break and enter into a residence on Base Line in 2009; an AK-47 with a loaded prohibited magazine; a semi-automatic .22 cal rifle with ammunition and a .22cal rifle with ammunition. In addition, officers located a set of brass knuckles, a can of oleoresin capsicum-pepper spray and a 30 round clip for the AK47 all of which are prohibited weapons. At the time the weapons were found, Vipond was bound by the conditions of a weapons prohibition order to not possess various types of prohibited and restricted weapons and ammunition. Upon his arrest, Vipond was found to be in possession of two baggies of cocaine packaged for sale at the street level. Also located and seized were 102 Viagra (Sildenafil) tablets and 83 Amitriptyline tablets for the purpose of trafficking.

As a result, Vipond was charged with the following: one count of production of a controlled drug or substance, one count of possession of a controlled drug or substance for the purpose of trafficking, five counts of possession of a controlled drug or substance and two counts of possession of a Schedule F drug for sale, contrary to the Food and Drug Act. In relation to the weapons seized: four counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon, four counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, four counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, four counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a loaded firearm, four counts of possession of a firearm together with ammunition, four counts of careless storage of a firearm, one count of possession of a stolen firearm; and eight counts of possession of a weapon/firearm contrary to order. In relation to the contraband cigarettes, he was further charged with one count of possession of unmarked cigarettes for sale, contrary to the Tobacco Tax Act. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $45000.00.

Male Arrested for Drug Possession

Sault Ste. Marie Police officers arrested 18 year-old Codie Roach of 87 Second Line West at his residence last evening and charged him with two counts of possession of a controlled drug or substance. It is alleged that the accused was wanted from an incident that occurred on the 19th of June when the accused was found in possession of two baggies of marijuana while in custody at the Algoma Remand and Treatment Centre. He is to appear in court on the 26th of July.

Female Arrested on Outstanding Warrant

35 year-old Christine Miller of 81 Hillside Drive was arrested at her residence yesterday morning on an outstanding warrant and charged with one count of fail to appear court and one count of fail to appear for prints in relation to a May shoplifting charge. She is to appear in court on the 26th of July.

Break and Enter/Thefts

• A break and enter was reported to a business in the 1100 block of Peoples Road that occurred at approximately 1 am on the 21st of June. A computer monitor and cash box that contained some money was reported stolen.
• A cottage in the Red Rock area was entered. Three firearms were reported stolen.
• Approximately ten, six and seven foot steel pipes were stolen from a business yard on Black Road.
• An attempt theft of various welding and copper cable was reported at a business property in the 2000 block of Great Northern Road.
• Scaffolding was reported stolen from Grace Street.
• An ownership and insurance card were stolen from a vehicle on Field Square.