An arrest has been made following two break-ins that occurred in Batchewana First Nation. Both incidents were caught on video surveillance.
The first break-in happened on Sept. 3, and the second on Sept. 7.
The suspect, 35-year-old Reba Stevens, was arrested on the afternoon of Sept. 8 and faces a number of theft-related charges.
Full text of a news release issued by Sault Ste. Marie OPP regarding these incidents follows:
BATCHEWANA FIRST NATION - On Sept. 6, 2022 at approximately 12:30 p.m., members from the Batchewana First Nation Police Service responded to a report of a break and enter at the local Bingo Hall on Gran Street in the Community of Batchewana First Nation.
Officers obtained the video footage from the Bingo Hall and recognized an individual that entered the building shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2022. The person hid in a washroom and left the building at approximately 1:54 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2022.
Property stolen is valued under $5,000 and is still under investigation.
On Sept. 7, 2022 shortly after 8:30 a.m., members from the Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to another break and enter in the community of Batchewana First Nation that occurred sometime over night at an office building in the 500 block of Gran Street.
Video footage was obtained and the same suspect from the break and enter at the Bingo Hall was the same person in this office building. The suspect was in the building for over two hours. The person was observed leaving shortly after 3:30 a.m., on Sept. 7, 2022, and pulling a trolly of boxes out of the building along with two large duffel bags full of items.
Property stolen was electronic property including laptops and Chrome Notebooks. Property is valued over $6,000 and is still under investigation.
On Sept. 8, 2022 shortly after 4 p.m., police located the suspect in the community and an arrest was made. As a result, Reba Stevens, 35 years of age from Batchewana First Nation was charged with:
• Break, Enter a Place - Commit Indictable Offence, contrary to section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (CC) (two counts)
• Theft over $5,000, contrary to section 334(a) of the CC
• Theft under $5,000, contrary to section 334(b)
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the CC
• Disguise with Intent, contrary to section 351(2) of the CC
• Mischief - obstructs, interrupts, or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property, contrary to section 430(1)(c) of the CC
• Possession of a schedule I Substance - Opioid (other than heroin), contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
The accused is scheduled to appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on Oct. 3, 2022.
Assisting with these two breaks and enters investigations are members from the Sault Ste Marie OPP Crime Unit and the OPP's Forensic Identification Services (FIS).
Any person with information regarding these breaks and enters should immediately contact the Batchewana First Nation Police Service or the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.