Police Briefs

The Rainy River District OPP have named a new Detachment Commander.

Inspector Shaun Crabbe will take over from retiring Detachment Commander, Inspector Nathan Schmidt, later this year. Insp. Crabbe is transferring from the James Bay OPP Detachment, where he has served as Detachment Commander since 2019. He had previously served as Detachment Commander for the Pickle Lake, Red Lake and Kenora OPP detachments.

What3words

The OPP would like to remind the public of the “what3words” App offered for free by both Android and Apple devices to download. The app labels every three squared metres across the globe with a unique three-word location string which can be converted into latitude and longitude coordinates for entry into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in use at the OPP Provincial Communication Centre (PCC).

Anyone who is lost or in distress, but doesn’t know their location, can use the app to relay their three word location code to the OPP for assistance. The app requires minimal data, and is free of charge.

Even if the caller does not have the app previously downloaded on their mobile device, the PCC communicator can send a link to the caller’s cell phone which will enable the caller (with data access and connectivity), to find their what3words location. It’s also available as an online map at www.what3words.com.

IMPAIRED DRIVER

(KENORA, ON) Members of the Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have charged a Fort Frances person as a result of a R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) check in Sioux Narrows.

On April 9, 2021 at approximately 11:10 p.m. Police set up a R.I.D.E check on highway 71. Upon speaking to a driver it was determined that they had been consuming alcohol.

As a result of this investigation, 46 year old Fort Frances man has been charged with the following: Operation While Impaired-Alcohol; Operation While Impaired-Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus).

The accused was released on an Undertaking to appear at the Kenora courthouse on May 6, 2021 to answer to the charge.

DRUG CHARGES

(DRYDEN, ON) – On April 7, 2021, members of the Dryden Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Northwest Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), Northwest Region Canine Unit (K-9) and the Dryden Police Service executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Dryden.

At approximately 11:50 pm, police executed a search warrant as part of an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs. As a result, officers seized a quantity of drugs including cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and morphine. Police also located other drug paraphernalia and approximately $2400 in cash.

As a result a 38 year old Dryden man has been charged with the following offences: Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking- Methamphetamine; Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking- Other Drugs X2; Possession of a Schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of a Schedule I substance- Cocaine; Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000- in Canada; Fail to comply with probation order X2. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice- Dryden on May 10 to answer to the above charges.

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALYSSA TURNBULL

Police Investigation Ongoing

(NIPIGON, ON) – April 14, 2021, marked one year since 26-year-old Alyssa Turnbull was reported missing in Nipigon, Ontario. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch, wants to assure the public that police are still actively working on this case. Even the smallest piece of information from the public could bring resolution to the family.

“The investigation surrounding the disappearance of Alyssa Turnbull has been active and on-going for one year. Every resource available to the investigative team is being used to bring Alyssa home and to help bring a resolution to her family. We are following up on every tip and no stone will be left unturned. I am certain that there are people out there who know what happened to Alyssa and I implore these people to come forward and speak with police or call Crime Stoppers so that we can bring this case to a conclusion and bring Alyssa home,” said Detective Inspector Darryl Sigouin, Criminal Investigation Branch, Ontario Provincial Police

At the time of her disappearance, Alyssa was residing in Nipigon. Alyssa is described as 5’3″ (160 cm), 100 lbs (45 kg) with shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes. She may have changed her hair colour to purple or red.

Alyssa Turnbull was last seen in Nipigon on or between March 23 and 25, 2020. For the last year detectives from the OPP have been working to identify the person or persons responsible for her disappearance. The OPP has conducted numerous searches, interviewed dozens of people and collected several pieces of potential evidence.

On October 18, 2020 the Government of Ontario offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the disappearance of Alyssa Turnbull, or information resulting in locating her. This has generated a number of tips of which police have followed-up.

Any person with information regarding this investigation should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at or their local police service.1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (TIPS) or access their website at: ontariocrimestoppers.ca.1-800-222-8477.