Armed standoff on Douglas Street leads to weapons charges

Sault Ste. Marie Police Services charged a 29-year-old man with various weapons offences after several hours of negotiations during a standoff on Douglas Street early Sunday morning.

The full text of the police press release follows:

On October 3, 2021 officers with Patrol Services, Investigation Services and Emergency Services charged 29-year-old Jure Gruber with firearm offences.

Around 9:00 p.m. officers received a report the accused was in possession of a firearm in a residence in the 700 block of Douglas Street. Officers responded and observed the accused in a residence in a multi-unit building and contained the area. Initial attempts to have the accused exit the residence were unsuccessful and the Emergency Services Unit, along with an Incident Commander and negotiators were called to the scene.

After several hours of negotiations, the accused exited the residence and was arrested without incident. During a subsequent search of the residence, officers located a .22 calibre rifle with the serial number altered.

He is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowingly possessing an unauthorized firearm, tampering with a serial number on a firearm and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.

He was held for WASH court and remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 4, 2021.