Update on gun scare that closed Hwy 17 in North Bay

OPP NEWS RELEASES

********************* 4:49 p.m. update

24-year-old Benjamin Artus of Cornwall, Ontario and 23-year-old Jeffery Lamarre of North Bay, Ontario have been charged with the following offences:

1. possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (both subjects)

2. unauthorized possession of firearm (both subjects)

3. break, enter with intent to commit (both subjects)

4. possession of weapon for dangerous purpose (LAMARRE)

5. unauthorized possession of weapon (LAMARRE)

6. fail to report finding a firearm (LAMARRE)

7. over 80 mgs (ARTUS)

A court date has been set for April 4 2006 in North Bay.

********************* 12:07 p.m. Saturday - moving violation leads to search potentially armed individual

(North Bay, ON) – North Bay OPP are continuing their investigation after an officer stopped a vehicle for a moving violation on Highway 17 Commanda Township west of North Bay in the early hours today.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. this morning, Constable Kim Bowes stopped a black, two-door Honda motor vehicle regarding a moving violation.

The officer discovered that the driver had been drinking alcohol.

There were two males in the vehicle.

While the constable was conducting her investigation on the driver, the passenger ran away from the vehicle into the bush with a package.

The North East Region OPP Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.) and Canine were immediately dispatched to search for the male.

It was later discovered that the male may be in possession of a firearm.

To ensure public safety, a roadblock was set up on Highway 17 between Highway 17B/Main Street and Beaucage Park Road west of North Bay, Ontario to facilitate the search.

The West Nipissing Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service and the North Bay City Police greatly assisted with the road block along with members from the Noelville OPP.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. officers from the E.R.T. safely located the male in a residence north of Highway 17.

The male declined medical treatment and is currently in custody with the driver at the North Bay OPP awaiting charges.

No names are being released as the investigation is continuing.

******************* 11 a.m. Saturday update

(North Bay, ON) – OPP North Bay advises that Highway 17 is now open.

******************** 8:28 a.m. Saturday road closure

(North Bay, ON) – OPP North Bay are advising that Highway 17 is closed between Highway 17B/Main Street, North Bay and Beaucage Park Road east of the straight portion of the highway from Sturgeon Falls.

The highway is closed due to an on going investigation.

If you have to travel this way, a suggested detour is via Highway 11 north from North Bay to Highway 64 which leads back south towards Highway 17/Sturgeon Falls and destinations west.

The opposite would hold true if travelling westbound.

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