Seven charges laid in stolen cruiser case

Ontario Provincial Police have laid seven charges in connection with the theft of one of their cruisers yesterday near Echo Bay.

Erika Lynn Babin of no fixed address is facing charges including vehicle theft, escaping custody, unauthorized possession of a weapon and mischief over $5,000.

Babin, who's originally from Alberta, was initially arrested east of Echo Bay on allegations that she didn't pay for gas at the Agawa Indian Crafts and Gas Station north of Sault Ste. Marie.

After her arrest, Babin allegedly extricated herself from the caged area of the marked OPP cruiser and then stole the vehicle while the officers carried out their investigation nearby.

Police initially gave chase but the pursuit was called off for safety reasons and Babin was followed at a safe distance.

A spike belt was then deployed about nine kilometers west of Blind River, disabling the stolen cruiser, which left the road and went into the Mississauga River.

Officers entered the river to get Babin out of the vehicle.

Babin was treated and released for minor injuries from Blind River District Health Center.

The truck that police say she was originally driving was found to have been stolen in Alberta, where it had been involved in a robbery.

The following news release was issued by the OPP this afternoon:

**************************************************************** CHARGES LAID AFTER STOLEN POLICE CRUISER RECOVERED

(Highway 17 from Echo Bay – Blind River, Ontario) The Sault Ste. Marie OPP have laid charges in relation to the OPP Cruiser that was stolen in Laird Township, east of Echo Bay, Ontario and ended up in the Mississauga River 9 kilometers west of Blind River, Ontario.

Erika Lynn BABIN (23) of no fixed address, previously from Alberta is facing the following Criminal charges:

False Pretence - Section 362(1)(a) Escape Custody - Section 145(1)(a) Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest - Section 270(1)(b) Theft of Vehicle over $5000.00 - Section 334 Weapon: Unauthorized Possession - Section 91(2) Mischief Over $5000.00 - Section 430(3)(a) Possession of Stolen Property over $5000.00 - Section 354(1)(a)

BABIN will appear in bail court on August 27, 2003 at 1:30 pm in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.