Monday, November 7, 2005

During Crime Prevention Week the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will be providing a daily crime prevention tip to help keep you and your family safe.

Protect yourself. Do not leave keys hidden in obvious places outside. When in public be mindful of people loitering or acting suspiciously. If you live alone, use only your first initial with surname on mailboxes, building directories and even in the phone book. Arrange a system so that someone has a key to your home and is aware of your whereabouts at all times, especially if you live alone.

Outstanding Warrants

An 18-year old youth was arrested on November 5th in the morning hours on outstanding warrants. Officers had occasion to speak to the accused in the downtown area and a police query revealed that the accused was wanted for 15 counts of breach of probation under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach or a release order. The male will appear in bail court this morning. Due to the offences being under the YCJA the name of the accused cannot be released.

Youth Charged with Theft

A 16-year old youth was arrested on November 6th in the evening hours after City Police were called Collings Variety Store located at 741 Wellington Street East. It is alleged that the youth stole some beef jerky. When officers queried the accused they learned that the youth was on a release document with terms to notify any change of address, which the youth had failed to do. The youth has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach of a release order and will appear in bail court this morning.

Break and Enter

On the 5th of November at 3:47 am the occupant of a home in the 100 block of Poplar Avenue called 911 to report there were persons in their back yard and that they could hear noises. When officers attended at the address they found that culprits had removed a storm window and broken an inner window of the basement of the home. Patrol officers secured the area and also accompanied the Canine Unit. With the assistance of Tazer 2 suspects were tracked to the area of Pim Street and Bruce Street. A 17-year old youth has been charged with one count of break and enter with intent and will appear in court on the 13th of December. When officers arrested the 19-year old male they found him to be in possession of break and enter tools including a flashlight, gloves and a lock on a cable, which is used to break windows. Officers also learned that the male was on probation with conditions to keep the peace and be good. 19-year old Andre Chartrand of 27 Fields Square has been charged with one count of break and enter with intent, one count of possession of house breaking tools and one count of breach of probation. Mr. Chartrand will appear in court on December 12th.

Robbery

City Police are investigating a robbery that took place on the 4th of November just after 1 pm in the downtown area. The male victim had just left a downtown bank with some money and was walking west in the laneway that runs parallel to Queen Street and is behind the Pita Pit. It is alleged that a male suspect came up from behind and poked something into the back of the victim and demanded his money. The victim handed over his wallet and an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect fled the area on foot. The victim was not harmed. The male is described as wearing a dark fleece sweater or jacket, dark blue or black cargo pants, wearing thin-soled suede shoes with a green stripe and were predominately red. The suspect is taller than 5’5”. If you were in the area and witnessed anything please contact the City Police at 949-6300. If you know who is responsible for this crime or any other contact Crime Stoppers at 942-7867.

Apartment Fire

On the 6th of November at 3 am City Police, Fire Services and Ambulance Services attended in the 100 block of Chapple Street for an apartment fire. A fire was located on the second floor of the building and the 16 apartments were evacuated. One person was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Just after 4:30 am the residents were allowed back into their apartments. City Police assisted with the evacuation and also closed the street for the Fire Services.

Reminder

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind the public to slow down and pay extra attention for children in the area of the Best Western Great Northern Road. Drivers need to be aware and keep in mind that there are a number of children from Kashechewan residing there. Pay attention, slow down, be alert and help keep our temporary citizens safe.

2 Break and Enters Over Weekend

City Police received 2 reports of break and enters over the weekend. On the 5th of November a home in the 100 block of Fauquier was entered around 1 am but nothing was taken. It is believed that the culprit was scared off. One the 6th of November around 11 am a report was received from the Healing Arts Centre located at 426 Bruce Street. Thieves broke into Candy’s Natural Salon and Spa. It is unknown at this time if anything is missing. The break and entered occurred between 5 pm on the 5th and 11 am on the 6th.

Fraud Charges

44-year old Ian Thomlinson of 305-3 Willoughby Street was arrested on Friday and charged by the Fraud Unit with one count of theft under $5,000, two counts of uttering a forged document and two counts of fraud. It is alleged that between April and May of this year the accused took two personnel cheques from a person known to the accused and made them payable to the accused. The amount of the two cheques was just over $1,000. The accused will appear in court on December 12th.