Friday, June 27, 2003

POLICE ASKING YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH ROBBERY INVESTIGATION
At 12:20 am on June 20, police officers were called to a robbery at a confectionary store in the city's east end. Two males had just robbed the store using a firearm to threaten the clerk. No one was injured in the robbery and thieves stole a small amount of cash and cigarettes and fled the store on foot.

The investigation into the robbery revealed that on June 19th, the accused, Adrian Smith, age 19 of 19 Prospect Court Elliot Lake, along with co-accused Eric Mearow, age 18 of 12 Amherst Street allegedly were in a parking lot in the city's west end and stole a mini van. Later that evening and into the early morning of June 20th, the accused allegedly robbed the Mac's Mart at 2200 Queen Street East.

Smith had a loaded sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun during the robbery and was wearing a disguise. Eric Mearow was involved in the theft of the van and the robbery.

On June 20th, the accused was located at his residence. He was in possession of a shotgun and ammunition. Detectives also located a small quantity of cash and cigarettes that they believe were stolen in the robbery. Officers also found the accused to be in possession of a flick knife, which is a prohibited weapon.

During the search, officers located a cultivation of marijuana plants and two rifles which were unsafely stored. On June 20st at 4:32 pm detectives arrested and charged Smith with Robbery with a Firearm, Disguise with Intent, Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Firearm, Pointing a Firearm and Possession of Weapon Dangerous to the Public.

Mearow has been charged with Robbery with a Firearm, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Theft over $5,000.00, Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition, Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Careless Use of Firearm, Weapon, Device or Ammunition, Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon and Production of a Schedule One Drug under the Controlled Drug an Substance Act.

Detectives are asking for your assistance. They were able to determine that a third accused, Andre Henry Laine, age 18 of 9 Ascot Street, was allegedly involved in the robbery as well.
Investigators believe he accompanied Smith into the store and robbed the clerk. Mearow is believed to have waited outside.

Efforts by police to locate Laine have been unsuccessful to date and he is still at large. Arrest warrants have been issued for him for Robbery, Wearing A Disguise, Possession Of Stolen Property, Theft Over $5000, Possession Of A Prohibited Weapon, Possession Of Weapon Dangerous To Public Peace and Breach Of Probation. Laine is described as a white male, 5'11" tall, 170 lbs, with a medium build and hazel eyes.

Detective believe that the accused is evading the police and request that anyone with information about the whereabouts of Laine contact the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300 or Crime Stoppers.


MAN ASSAULTS EX-WIFE
On Wednesday, a 34-year-old male went to the downtown residence of his ex-common-law wife. After an argument around at 9:00 or 10:00 pm, the male grabbed the female by the throat and threw her on the floor. The accused held her on the floor for a few minutes when the victim managed to get up.

The accused then grabbed her by the throat a second time and threw her to the floor. Later the victim was sitting on the couch when the accused struck her on the left side of the face with an open hand. The accused then left the residence.

Yesterday, he returned to the victim's home and assaulted her again by grabbing her throat and throwing her on the bed. The male then took a large rock and struck the victim's vehicle. At the time, the accused was on probation to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

At 8:10 am yesterday, patrol officers arrested and charged the accused with two counts of Assault, Mischief under $5,000.00 and Breach of Probation. He will appear in bail court today.


BANK FRAUD
On the 9th of November 2002, the accused, Donald Boucher, age 24 of 519 Wellington Street East in the company of a 22-year-old female whom he convinced to let him use her bank card and her PIN number, allegedly proceeded to an ATM machine where he made two empty-envelope deposits on the 9th of November 2002, for a quantity of cash and then withdrew it.

As a result of making these empty-envelope deposits he committed two counts of fraud. Detectives were unable to locate the accused and arrest warrants were issued for him. On June 26th at 2:40 pm, detectives executed these warrants and arrested Boucher. He will appear in court on July 28th.


BREAK & ENTERS
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service received two complaints of attempted break-ins yesterday. At 11:30 am police were advised that someone had tried to break into a residence on Fort Creek Drive but were unsuccessful.

at 5:00 pm, police were advised of a second unsuccessful attempt break-in to an apartment in the 400 block of Queen Street West. Both incidents are currently under investigation and anyone with information on these occurrences is asked to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300 or Crime Stoppers.
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A TIP FROM YOUR POLICE SERVICE
Warm Weather Provides Opportunity for Thieves

Many of us will be leaving our doors and windows open, now that the warmer weather has arrived. This is creating an opportunity for thieves to enter our home with very little difficulty.

Last summer the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service investigated an attempt Break and Enter to a residence on Champlain Street and, thanks to the efforts of the homeowner, the thief was not able to gain entry to the home. The homeowner had left on vacation for several days and returned home to find the screen removed from a rear window and signs that a thief had tried to force the window open.

The thief was denied entry because the resident had secured the window with a stick to prevent it from sliding open. This summer a homeowner on Pim Street was not as fortunate when he left the door to his house open while he was working outside in the yard. Thieves entered the open home and stole some items.

You need to be aware that thieves, as a general rule, are crafty and look for easy opportunities. They go house-to-house rattling doors and checking windows to see if they have been left open. Many of us are creating the perfect opportunity to ensure the thieves are successful. The easiest way to avoid this is to lock your windows and doors, especially if you're not home.

If you intend to go to a cottage or camp or the beach for the day, advise your neighbours that you will not be home. Their extra attention may save your residence from being victimized.