Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Two Males To Appear In Bail Court This Morning

Yesterday afternoon City Police arrested 24-year old Joseph Elie of no fixed address on a number of outstanding warrants from incidents in 2005 including break and enter, assault and numerous breaches. At the time of the arrest Mr. Elie was on a release order with conditions to notify his charge of address and to reside with his surety, which he is alleged to have failed to do. He was additionally charged with two counts of breach of a release order.

A 38-year old male was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with one count of assault with a weapon. It is alleged that the accused assaulted his common law wife by striking her in the head with a cooking pot. The victim required medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The incident occurred in the couple’s west end residence.

Arson At White Pines High School

Yesterday afternoon the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the Sault Fire Services attended at White Pines High School located at 1007 Trunk Road for an arson. Fire Service initially attended at the call and then requested the services of City Police once they determined that a fire at the school had been deliberately set.

Officers located a fire in the male washroom on the second floor where culprits jammed a number of rolls of toilet paper in the ceiling tiles and lit them on fire beside an air duct. Damage was minimal-a number of tiles had soot on them. In a second bathroom on the same floor, a second fire was also located. A number of rolls of toilet paper had been lit on fire on the bathroom floor; fortunately there was no damage. The fire alarm for the school was pulled around 2:30 pm and two males were seen running from the school.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind the public that this is a serious offence. What may seem like a prank can quickly get out of control. The potential is there for serious injuries or extensive damage. There are a number of offences in the Criminal Code of Canada that cover this crime. Arson causing damage carries a sentence not exceeding 14 years and arson with disregard for human life carries a sentence of up to life imprisonment.

If you know who is responsible for this crime, contact City Police at 949-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 942-7867. Officers from City Police, including the High School Liaison Officer for White Pines will be continuing their investigation into this criminal offence.