(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged two individuals with theft of a motor vehicle.
On September 13, 2023, members of the Rainy River District OPP Detachment received a report of a stolen commercial motor vehicle from a local business on Fifth Street West in Fort Frances.
A short time later, officers with the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) located the commercial motor vehicle near Winnipeg, Manitoba. The accused were subsequently placed under arrest by the RCMP and returned to the Rainy River District OPP Detachment.
As a result, a 20-year-old of Rossport, and an 18-year-old, of Ignace, have been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with: Theft Over $5,000 of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
The accused have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on October 30, 2023.
Police remind vehicle owners/passengers to lock your doors and properly secure your vehicle when left unattended.
IMPAIRED DRIVER
(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Members of the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment have arrested one individual and laid multiple charges following a report of possible impaired driver.
On September 17, 2023, at approximately 2:30 a.m., members of the Rainy River District OPP responded to a traffic complaint reporting a possible impaired driver around Kings Highway. Officers subsequently located the motor vehicle in the 1000 block of Kings Highway and initiated a traffic stop.
Through investigation, it was determined that the driver of the motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. The driver was subsequently placed under arrest and was transported to the Rainy River District OPP Detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, a 28-year-old Fort Frances resident has been arrested and charged with: Operation while Impaired – Alcohol and Drug; Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus); Driving motor vehicle with unsealed container of liquor and Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available.
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on October 30, 2023, to answer to the above charges.
The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.
SHOPLIFTING OVER $5,000
(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) respond to a report of a shoplifter at an area business on Kings Highway in the Town of Fort Frances.
On September 12, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m. members were advised of a shoplifter, by a vigilant employee. The employee reported an individual had shoplifted from the business and left the property on foot. Members located the individual a brief time later.
As a result of the investigation, a 45-year-old, of Bowsman, Manitoba, has been arrested and charged with: Possession Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000.
The accused has been held in police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice – bail court in Fort Frances on September 13, 2023, to answer to the above charges.
If you have any information about suspected criminal activity, 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), or report online through https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
DISPATCH OF DEER INCIDENT
The OPP have released the following statement in regards to a controversial video which surfaced of officers dispatching an injured deer.
“The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to address an incident in Kenora where officers were called to respond to a motor vehicle collision that left a deer seriously injured. We appreciate the concerns raised by our community, and sincerely regret the distress the incident and the video have caused.
Our officers are often required to take difficult actions as part of their duties; the euthanasia of an injured animal is one of them. We want to provide reassurance to the public that we are taking this matter seriously. We are actively and thoroughly investigating the incident to gather all the necessary facts that influenced the circumstances.
We remain committed to upholding the trust and confidence of the communities we serve. We will continue to strive to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, compassion and respect in serving the Province of Ontario.”
STREET CRIME
(RED LAKE, ON) – A local resident is facing multiple charges after members of the Red Lake Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment executed a search warrant on a local residence.
On September 9th, 2023, members of the Red Lake OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with the assistance the Red Lake Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Red Lake OPP Officers, searched a local residence after receiving information that the owner of the residence was in possession of a sawed off shot gun.
During the search, police located a sawed off 12-gauge shotgun with serial numbers removed and no stock, 12-gauge ammunition and a replica revolver. In addition to the firearm, police located a quantity of methamphetamine and evidence of drug trafficking.
As a result, a 59-year-old, was charged under the Criminal Code with: Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm; Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine; Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition; Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 anf Possession of a Firearm Knowing the Serial Number has been Removed.
The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kenora for a bail hearing at a later date.
