Drug charges

(SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON) – On Wednesday, June 3, Officers from the Sioux Lookout Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) conducted a Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) warrant in the area of Third Avenue and Curtis Street in Sioux Lookout.

As a result of the investigation, police located and seized a quantity of illicit substances including cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, suboxone and hydromorphine with an estimated street value of $11,000 and approximately $2,890.00 in Canadian currency. As a result of this investigation, a 35 year-old man from Toronto has been charged with the following offences:

Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the purpose of Trafficking – four counts
Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000

The accused is being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday, June 5.

If you have any information about the trafficking of methamphetamine or other illicit drugs in Sioux Lookout, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000. You may also report online at: http://www.p3tips.com/273.

Marine rescue

(THUNDER BAY, ON.) -On June 5 at around 3pm police received an emergency call from a person stating that he and his friend flipped their canoe and were floating in Dog Lake. Officers from the Thunder Bay OPP responded with a marine unit. The OPP communications center was able to ping the caller’s phone and provide a GPS location to the responding officers. Police located the males in very rough water conditions. Both men had been in the water for over an hour and were experiencing hypothermia. They were brought to paramedics at the landing and transported to the Thunder Bay Regional hospital. Four other canoeists in the group and their canoes were removed from shores of the lake and brought to paramedics with the assistance of MNR Conservations officers. Police credit the use of lifejackets with being responsible for saving these two men’s lives.

Break and enter

(KITCHENUHMAYKOOSIB INNINUWUG FIRST NATION, ON) – Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are requesting assistance from the public to solve a break and enter at a business on Tasona Drive, in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (KI).

Sometime between Sunday afternoon, June 7, 2020, and Monday morning, June 8, 2020, individuals forcefully gained access to the business’ safes and removed approximately $80,000 to $100,000 in Canadian currency.

The OPP is requesting anyone with information about this occurrence contact the KI detachment at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

For safety and crime prevention tips, please visit our website at www.opp.ca.

Drunk driving

(RED LAKE, ON) – On June 6, at approximately 7:52 p.m., officers from the Red Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver within the Municipality of Red Lake.

A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle was spoken to. The officer made a demand for a breath sample and the driver subsequently failed. The driver was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle with Over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood and returned to the detachment for further tests.

As a result of the investigation, a 25-year-old Red Lake man, was charged with Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, and Operation while impaired. The male was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on August 27 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.

The next day on June 7, at approximately 4:25 p.m., officers received another traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver within the Municipality of Red Lake.

As a result of the investigation, a 57-year-old, Ear Falls man, was charged with Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs and Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) and Fail to Comply with Probation Order. The male was released by way of Undertaking for Red Lake court on August 27 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.

Motorists who drive impaired by alcohol or drugs are subject to drivers licence suspensions, fines, vehicle impoundments, criminal records and increased insurance costs. Please drive responsibly, don’t drink and drive.

The OPP is committed to safety for all who utilize Ontario’s roadways. Members of the public are urged to report Impaired Driving by calling 911 in emergency situations. Complaints of impaired, aggressive or careless driving can also be made by calling 1-888-310-1122.

Reporting crimes online

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) encourages citizens to report even more crime online. From January 1 to May 20, 2020, there has been a 99 per cent increase in online reports, compared to the same period last year. As Online Reporting usage has grown, the OPP has expanded the system to include more options for citizens.

Previously, reports made online were limited to crimes under $5000. Now crimes regardless of value; where there is no evidence or suspects, are eligible for Online Reporting:

Theft;
Mischief / Damage to Property;
Mischief / Damage to Vehicle;
Theft from Vehicle;
Lost / Missing Property;
Stolen License Plates and/or Validation Tags; and
Driving Complaints (after the occurrence)

To see the list of less serious incidences for Online Reporting and to access the system, a user can go to opp.ca/reporting, choose their location and start the report. This will take the user to a secure link where they will be given precise instructions on how to fill out the report.

The OPP would like thank the public for using Online Reporting. The increased use of Online Reporting helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting direct contact between police and members of the public, while allowing front line officers to focus efforts on urgent calls and crime prevention strategies within our communities.

LEARN MORE: View the Online Reporting video at: youtu.be/jop9IN2ePOY To report a crime online and for more information: opp.ca/reporting.