Two Sault residents are facing criminal charges following multiple property crime investigations north and east of the city as well as in the Sault, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.
The incidents appear to have included vehicle parts and industrial equipment stolen from local businesses.
The first incident occurred Feb. 8 shortly before 9 a.m. when the Sault Ste. Marie OPP responded to a theft from a business near Agawa Canyon.
With the public's assistance, police were able to identify a suspect in the theft.
Then on March 26, shortly after 10 a.m., police responded to a suspicious vehicle on Carp Road in Batchawana Bay.
Witnesses had reported seeing a vehicle pulling a large piece of industrial equipment. Police located the vehicle and equipment abandoned, and determined the equipment was stolen from a business near Montreal River Harbour.
Again, with assistance from the public, police were able to identify the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle.
The driver was revealed to be the same individual who was a suspect in the theft near Agawa Canyon, police said in a news release.
When officers located the individual, they were in possession of stolen property from businesses on Trunk Road in Sault Ste. Marie, Trout Lake Road in Heyden and Calabogie Road in Echo Bay.
Police allege that during the arrest, the individual admitted to stealing vehicle parts and equipment from a business in Batchawana Bay, and industrial equipment from a business on Great Northern Road in Sault Ste. Marie.
Police said that as the result of an "extensive" investigation, Christian Strum-Furge, 25, of Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with:
- Theft over $5,000
- Theft under $5,000 - two counts
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 - three counts
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 - two counts
- Mischief - destroy property
- Mischief under $5,000
Additionally, Amy Strum, 45, of Sault Ste. Marie has been arrested and charged with:
- Theft over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Both were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on May 6 in Sault Ste. Marie.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty.