Wednesday, November 29, 2006

SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION FROM NOVEMBER 25th CONTINUES

Officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Investigation Services Section are continuing their investigation into a sexual assault that occurred in the early morning hours of November 25th.

An adult female was walking in the area of Blake Street around 3 am when a male who approached her from behind assaulted her. The victim was knocked to the ground and was assaulted by the accused. The male fled the area when the female began to scream. He was last seen headed west on Stevens Street.

The male suspect is described as being a Caucasian, between 18 to 20 years of age, approximately 6’ to 6’2” tall with a slim build. He had scrubby facial hair but not a full beard, he had light coloured bushy or curly hair that was just past his ears and he wore metal framed glasses. The suspect also wore dark cargo pants, a dark hoody and a black toque.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is asking anyone who may have any information regarding this assault to call 949-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 942-7867 or 1-800-222-TIPS.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind residents of the following safety tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings and always carry a cell phone
• Whenever possible travel in pairs and travel in well-lit, populated areas, especially at night
• Trust your intuition. If something tells you a person or situation wasn’t right, it likely wasn’t
• Avoid overgrown trails or deserted streets and never wear a headset while running or walking
• Call police immediately if you see anyone or anything suspicious
• Vary your route and walk assertively
• Plan your route and avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots or unlit area, especially after dark
• When you approach your vehicle or building take a look around you both in the daytime and the nighttime.
• If you think you are being followed, head for a place of safety or find other people.

Driving While Disqualified, Possesion for Trafficking, and Breach

25-year old Shaun Mearow of 2643 Mission Road, Goulais River was arrested just after 4 am this morning and charged with one count of operate motor vehicle while disqualified-court order, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled drug or substance, and two counts of breach of probation. Officers on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on Farwell Terrace for a traffic infraction. Officers learned that the accused was a prohibited driver. During their investigation, officers located approximately 10 grams of cocaine in the vehicle and also seized a sum of money from the accused. At the time of the offence the accused was on probation with conditions to keep the peace and be good and not to possess or consume any controlled drugs or substances. The accused will appear in court on January 8th.

Stolen Credit Card Data

26-year old Derek Roberts of 23 Dufferin Street was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts of stolen credit card data and two counts of uttering forged document. It is alleged that on October 28th the accused used a credit card to purchase gas from a local gas station with a credit card not belonging to the accused. He will appear in court on January 8th.

Another Arrest Made in Pageant Dr Break In

News Release from November 21st: Yesterday afternoon a homeowner on Pageant Drive pulled into their driveway just before 3:30 am and observed a number of teenage kids running from the home. When she entered the residence she found that food had been eaten, the stove had been used and that jewellery was missing from the residence. Other items were also taken and the homeowner is working on a detailed property list for the police. Four of the kids were on foot and several were on bikes. Some had dark clothing on, one had a dark jacket and one had a tan jacket. The investigation is continuing.

Update: Yesterday afternoon a 15-year old youth was arrested and charged with one count of break and enter and commit an offence in regards to the above break and enter. He will appear in court on January 2nd.

Two persons were arrested yesterday in separate incident of shoplifting:

1) It is alleged that 53-year old Dennis Delquidiu of Elliott Lake left Sears in the Station Mall with a bottle of cologne that was not paid for. He was apprehended by security officers and turned over to the Sault Ste. Marie Police. He will appear in court on January 8th.

2) It is alleged that 45-year old Jim Bednarz of 371 North Street left Sears in the Station Mall with a plate that was not paid for. He was apprehended by security officers and turned over to the Sault Ste. Marie Police. He will appear in court on January 15th.

City Police received a number of reports of break and enters yesterday:

1) Sometime between 10 pm on the 27th and 7 am on the 28th of November a home on Spadina Avenue was entered. PS2 games and CD’s were taken as well as some jewellery.

2) Yesterday morning police attended at a home on Patricia Avenue that had been broken into. It is unknown at this time if anything was taken.

3) Sometime between 9 am and 3 pm on the 28th of November a home on Allen’s Side Road was entered. Jewellery and liquor were taken.

4) Between 5 pm and 10:30 pm last evening a home on Grosvenor Avenue was entered. Items taken include alcohol, DVD’s and undisclosed amount of money.

5) Last evening a homeowner on Murphy Street reported that thieves had attempted to break into shed.

HOLIDAY SEASON R.I.D.E. PROGRAM STARTS THIS WEEKEND.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind the public that this is the time of year when the Holiday R.I.D.E. Program is put out on various dates and times.
Chief Bob Davies is committed to protecting the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township from impaired drivers. The Holiday R.I.D.E. Program will include regular uniform patrol officers, along with extra duty officers from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service who are funded by a provincial grant from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Officers who worked last year’s Holiday R.I.D.E. Program stopped over 5,000 vehicles. 94 persons were given roadside tests, 27 12-hour suspensions were issued, and 10 people were charged with impaired driving.
Sergeant Jim Egan of Traffic Services advises “We saw a reduction in the number of persons who were driving under the influence of alcohol when we compared the 2005 and 2004 Holiday R.I.D.E. Program. It is the hope of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service that the 2006 Holiday R.I.D.E. Program will see that number be further reduced during this year’s campaign.”

Make the Holiday Season a safe and happy one for everyone. Don’t drink and drive; use a designate driver or take a cab.