Monday, June 20, 2005

Manitoulin OPP Assist with Drug Seizure

On Monday 13 June 2005 at 2:43 pm Manitoulin OPP were called to assist Canada Customs Border Service Officers who were on Manitoulin Island checking vessels at the Little Current town dock. Customs requested assistance with a drug seizure from a boat involving an American citizen. OPP officers attended the boat and a quantity of suspected marijuana was seized. A US male from Michigan State was charged by Canada customs officers for importation and possession of a controlled substance. Since the Customs officers had no office facilities on Manitoulin the OPP assisted in the processing and storage of the drugs.

Hit & Run

On Tuesday the 14 Jun 05 at 1:11 pm Manitoulin OPP were called to a report of damage to a parked vehicle on Hwy 542 in Mindemoya. Constable John Robertson investigating officer, observed a 2004 Blue Dodge SX2 with damage to side of the vehicle. Investigation revealed that the car was parked overnight and the owner noticed the damage the next day and called police. It appears that the vehicle was hit by another vehicle, which left the scene. If anyone has nay knowledge of this hit & run they are asked to call police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

OPP Target Speeding Drivers

As a result of a CPAC (Community Police Advisory Council) meeting held in Mindemoya, concerns were discussed on complaints from the public on speeding and aggressive drivers on Manitoulin. S/Sgt. Bruce McCullagh Detachment Commander has developed a traffic enforcement initiative in the areas that complaints of speeding drivers have been identified. The areas that have been identified are Highway #6 in the South Baymouth area during the times of the ferry traffic. On Hwy 542 at the west end of Mindemoya and North Channel Drive in Little Current area. Officers have been instructed to conduct radar patrols in these areas in hopes to curtail the numbers of speeders. Constable Allan Boyd Community Services Officer for the Manitoulin OPP advises that these initiatives work very well, “ the first step is to notify the public and advise them that we will be upping the enforcement in the area’s of the complaints. Second we will try and deploy the Traffic Speed Indicator sign in these areas so the public can observe their speed. Last we then send in an officer with radar to enforce and patrol the area targeting the speeders and aggressive drivers. With this type of initiative we see a change in driver behavior.” Constable Boyd Added.

Impaired Driver

On Friday 17 Jun 05 at 8:17 pm Manitoulin OPP officers received a call from a concerned citizen who was at the Fish & Chip Stand in Little Current. The citizen reports he observed a vehicle pull into the lot and observed a male who was impaired get out of the vehicle. Concerned that the male would leave again the citizen asked the subject for his car keys which he turned over. Police where then called. As a result of the investigation a male subject was arrested and taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of suspected Marijuana and open liquor. Charged with Impaired Driving, Over 80 mgs of Alcohol and Possession of a Controlled Substance is Wayne WONK age 51 of Sudbury, Ontario. He will appear in Gore Bay Provincial Court on 29 August 05 to answer to the said charges.

Evacuation of Seniors due to Fire

On Saturday morning 18 Jun 05 at 12:38 am Manitoulin OPP along with the Central Manitoulin Volunteer Fire Dept and Ambulance Service were called to a report of a fire at the Meadowview Apartment Building on 29 Nixon Street in Mindemoya. The Fire Dept arrived to find a great deal of smoke and decided that the occupants needed to be evacuated for their own safety. A fire was located in the garbage room of the apartment building and was extinguished. The residents of the apartment building attended homes of family and friends and a local motel. No physical damage was done other than some minor smoke damage. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and the investigation is still continuing with the assistance of the Ontario fire Marshal’s Office.

Robbery

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) OPP are investigating a complaint of robbery from an elderly resident of Elliot Lake. Sometime during the evening of June 17th, 2005 a female attended the residence of the victim requesting money. The victim refused to give the female money.

The culprit allegedly sprayed the victim with mace and stole his cell phone.

Charged with Robbery with theft and Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon is Suzie Janine GOUDREAULT (42) of Elliot Lake. GOUDREAULT is in custody awaiting a Bail Hearing.

Investigation continuing.

Vandalism On Havilland Shores Drive

Goulais River, Ont.,Sault OPP were dispatched to a home in the 1000 block of Havilland Shores Drive in Goulais River yesterday after receiving a report of vandalism.

It appeared that sometime in the past week vandals smashed windows on a sauna and broke a hole in a paddleboat on the property. The owner also found a quantity of broken beer bottles all over his lawn.

More Vandalism

Heyden, Ont.,The M.T.O. Inspection Station on Hwy 17 in Heyden was also subjected to the wrath of vandals.

On Friday afternoon an employee of the M.T.O. reported to OPP that someone had written anti-government graffiti on the doors of the scale house.

Officers with the Sault Ste Marie OPP detachment also answered many other calls for service over the weekend. Many of the calls appeared to have been fueled by alcohol and officers were able to defuse the situations without any arrests or charges.