Tuesday, April 13, 2010

April 2010 Seatbelt Campaign

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will once again be taking part in the annual spring seatbelt campaign during the last two weeks of April 2010. Officers from the Patrol and Traffic Services Section, in conjunction with area police services, will be conducting random spot checks throughout the city to ensure compliance with Ontario’s seatbelt laws, and will be issuing offence notices to those that are not in compliance. Motorists observed not wearing their seatbelt will face a fine for $200.00(plus victim surcharge/court costs) and two demerit points. Of particular importance is the proper use of child specific restraint systems. Drivers are reminded that they are responsible for ensuring that passengers under the age of 16 are properly restrained. More information on child restraints is available on the Ministry of Transportation website http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/smartlove/.

Wearing a seatbelt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and other passengers in a motor vehicle collision. It is equally important to wear your seatbelt properly – that means it should never be tucked under your arm or back. Since 1976, when seatbelt legislation was first introduced in Ontario, an estimated 8,000 lives have been saved and more than 300,000 people walked away from collisions who would have suffered injuries. Sadly, some people are still not listening to the buckle up message, and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is committed to delivering this message through this campaign.

Male Youth Faces Numerous Charges after Failing to Stop for Police

A 16 year-old male youth is currently in custody after he was arrested just after 3 am this morning and charged with impaired driving, flight from police, possession of property obtained by crime and numerous breach of probation charges. It is alleged that around 3:03 am this morning city police attempted to stop and check a Chevrolet van on Carmen’s Way. The vehicle stopped initially when police pulled it over, but once the officers approached the van, it accelerated away southbound on Carmen’s Way at a high rate of speed. The vehicle continued on through the intersection of Queen Street West, over an embankment into the field area, striking a chain-link property fence and then the concrete support pillar of the International Bridge. When officers checked the driver, they found him to be under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Officers also discovered that the van had been reported stolen overnight from a Connaught Avenue Residence. The van and fence were heavily damaged and the pillar was lightly damaged.

Correction to 12th of April News Release Regarding Seatbelt Campaign

The seatbelt fine has recently been increased to $200.00 plus victim surcharge and court costs, not $90.00 as advised in yesterday’s release. Please make the correction.

Bail Court Arrests

Male and Female Arrested after Drug Warrant Executed at Their Residence

On the 13th of April at approximately 1:31 am, members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Emergency Services Unit, Street Team, Patrol Services and Canine Unit executed a search warrant at 105 Wellington Street West, the residence of 30 year-old Greg Smith and 31 year-old Kelly Erickson. During the course of the search, officers located 26.2 grams of cocaine, 25.4 grams of crack cocaine, 67.2 grams of cannabis marijuana, 3 oxycodone tablets, numerous digital scales, various packaging materials, various drug paraphernalia, a can of pepper spray, two cell phones and $860 in Canadian currency (seized as offence related property). In addition, officers located a stolen IBM laptop computer valued at $2000.00. As a result, both persons were charged with two counts of possession of a controlled drug or substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of a controlled drug or substance and possession of property obtained by crime. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $6564.00. Both accused are to appear in bail court this morning.

Wanted Male Located and Arrested by Street Team

28 year-old Wesley Hallam of 63 Foothill Road was arrested without incident at 3:05 pm yesterday afternoon on Willow Avenue on an outstanding surety revocation warrant. The accused was also charged with two counts of breach of a release document. It is alleged that since his release last week on attempt murder, firearms and drug related charges, the accused has not been abiding by his bail release conditions. He will appear in bail court this morning.

Impaired Driver Arrested

48 year-old Larry Frennette of no fixed address was arrested on the 12th of April at 3:55 pm and charged with one count of impaired driving, one count of consume over the legal limit and one count of breach of probation. It is alleged that around 3:26 pm yesterday afternoon city police received a call regarding a possible impaired driver on Stevens Street that had backed up into the ditch. When officers arrived they discovered that the driver, the accused, was under the influence of alcohol. At the time he was also wanted on an outstanding breach of probation warrant. He is to appear in bail court this morning.

Domestic Related Arrest

A 31 year-old male was arrested at 10:50 pm last night and charged with four counts of threaten death or bodily harm and two counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that while at a local downtown business, the accused threatened to harm his girlfriend and three of her friends. He is to appear in bail court this morning.

A 16 year-old male youth was arrested on the 12th of April at 10:01 pm at a local youth home and charged with one count of assault and one count of breach of probation. It is alleged that he assaulted one of the youth home workers on the 12th of April around 9:20 pm and at the time he was on probation conditions to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He is to appear in bail court this morning.