Monday, September 25, 2006

OPP LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE

Echo Bay

The Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the OPP is looking for assistance in identifying a male and female who were driving a black step side Chevy pickup truck around 10:30 AM yesterday on Government Rd at Reids Rd in Laird Township. The couple was observed giving candy to three young girls 6 to 8 years of age who were visiting family in the area. A mother of one of the girls observed the exchange and approached the vehicle to speak to the occupants. At this point the vehicle fled the scene.

The male driver is described as being 35 year of age, wearing a large white hat and large sunglasses. He was also reported to have a beard with some gray hair. The female was reported to have curly blonde hair and also 35 years of age.

The vehicle is described as being a black step side Chevy Pickup with a silver toolbox behind the cab and a white sticker on the back rear window.

A concerted effort by Sault Ste Marie OPP, Batchawana First Nations Police and the Thessalon Detachment of the OPP was made to locate this vehicle but they were unsuccessful.

Police are appealing to the public looking for assistance in identifying the vehicle and persons in the vehicle. It is hoped that if those who were responsible, please come forward to police to clarify any misunderstood intentions.

This incident should serve as a reminder to all parents to educate their children not approach a strange vehicle or persons.

THEFT OF KAYAK

The Sault Ste. Marie OPP Detachment is asking the public, particularly in the Goulais area, for assistance in the investigation of the theft of a kayak. The kayak was stolen from a residence on Pine Shore Rd sometime within the last two to three days and would mostly likely have occurred after dark. The kayak was missing from the victim’s yard where it had been located between the house and the water. It was an unusual theft in that the kayak was stolen but the paddle that was with it, was left behind.

The kayak is a Formula Pursuit sea kayak approximately three years old and in excellent condition. It is 17 feet long and approximately 22 inches wide and constructed of fibre glass. It is distinctive in that it is orange on top and has a white hull. This kayak is a single seater and has no spray skirt attached. There is a front and back hatch and a rudder at the back.

Any one with information on this or any crime can call the Sault Ste Marie OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477

JOINT SPOTCHECKS FINDS IMPAIRED DRIVER AND OTHER DRINKERS

Searchmont, Ont.,

A joint forces spot check with the OPP and MNR Conservation officers found one impaired driver and another others drinking in their vehicle.

Late Friday afternoon officers from both services were conducting random spot checks throughout the area north of Sault Ste Marie. Officers checked a vehicle on Hwy 532 in Searchmont. The driver of the vehicle was given a roadside breath test and he failed the test. He was returned to Sault Ste Marie where a Breathalyzer test indicated he was over the legal limit to be driving. Officers also found about 5 grams of what is suspected to be cannabis resin in his possession.

Forty nine (49) year old Loren DAOUST of Pineshores Drive in Goulais River has been charged with Driving While Over the Legal Limit of .08 and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He has had his licence suspended for the next 90 days. He will appear in court on Monday 13 November 2006 to answer to the charges

The Joint Forces spot check also checked another vehicle on Hwy 532 in the Searchmont area and found that a passenger in the vehicle had open liquor. Thirty four year old Gene PRUSKY of Peoples Road in Sault Ste Marie was charged under the Liquor Licence Act with open liquor.

SPEEDER FOUND TO BE MORE THAN OVER THE SPEED LIMIT

Laird Twp, Ont.,

An officer with the OPP Traffic and Marine Unit found a speeder was not only traveling far over the limit but his blood/alcohol limit was also over the limit.

On Saturday afternoon at about 2:00 p.m. an officer with the OPP Traffic and Marine Unit was on patrol of Hwy 17 in Laird Twp. The officer found a car traveling in excess of 140 km/h in a posted 90 km/h zone. The car was pulled over and the driver showed signs that he had been drinking.

A roadside breath test was conducted and the driver failed that test. He was returned to the police station where a Breathalyzer test was conducted. The driver also failed the Breathalyzer test.

Fifty one year old Guy PAQUETTE of Prete Street in Sudbury was charged with Driving With A Blood/Alcohol Level over .08 and Speeding. He will have to return to court in November to answer both charges. Mr. Paquette also had his licence suspended for the next 90 days.

HAVILLAND SHORES BREAK AND ENTER

Goulais River, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP are investigating a break and enter into a seasonal home in the 900 block of Havilland Shores Drive in Goulais River.

On Sunday afternoon the owner of the home advised that sometime in the past three weeks someone entered the house and stole a set of two way radios. The investigation is ongoing.