Thursday, June 17, 2004

FIRE NOT SUSPICIOUS

(Aberdeen Township, North of Bruce Mines, Ontario) On June 16, 2004 a cabin fire was reported to the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP at approximately 12:00 pm. The fire was located on Wings Road in Aberdeen Township, north of Bruce Mines, Ontario.

The cabin and a Honda ATV that was housed in an adjacent shed were destroyed in the fire. There is no estimate of damage at this time.

It was reported by neighbours that there were lightening strikes in the area the day before.

The fire is not considered suspicious. This concludes the investigation by the OPP.


FLIGHT FROM POLICE NETS CHARGES TO OWNER OF ATV

(St. Joseph Island, Ontario) On April 24, 2004 at approximately 3:30 am, officers from the East Algoma – Thessalon OPP were conducting patrols in Richards Landing on St. Joseph Island when they observed a Yamaha ATV doing donuts in the parking lot of St. Joseph Island Central School.

Officers attempted to stop the driver of the ATV when the driver gave flight northbound on Highway 548. The vehicle continued onto Lucy Street and fled into a nearby field.

Officers located the ATV approximately 20 minutes later parked in a driveway and were able to ascertain from the registration who the owner was. The owner was spoken to the next day and advised that he had lent the ATV out to numerous people and that it was not stolen. The owner was unable to provide information to the officers as to who was driving the ATV when it took flight from the police the night before.

The owner was advised that under the Highway Traffic Act he was responsible for the ATV and that he could be charged.

The owner of the ATV, Stephen Eric PRITCHARD (21) of Richards Landing, Ontario has been charged with “being the owner of a motor vehicle that failed to stop for police, contrary to section 216(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, thereupon committing an offence under Section 207 of the Highway Traffic Act.” PRITCHARD is scheduled to appear in Thessalon Court on July 12, 2004 to answer to the charge.