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Manitoulin OPP lay drug and weapon related charges

Two people have been arrested and charged for weapon and drug offences in Sables-Spanish Rivers township.

On June 15 shortly after 12 am, the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was notified by a member of the public of a possible impaired driver on Grove Street. Police patrolled the area, locating the vehicle parked at a residence on Saubles Street East in the township.

Police approached the vehicle and observed an individual sitting in the front passenger seat. Upon speaking with this individual, police were notified that they were breaching their release order. This person was subsequently arrested. While arresting this individual, police were then approached by a second individual who attempted to intervene. This person was also subsequently arrested.

Police conducted a search and located suspected cocaine, a dagger-style knife and approximately $16,000 in Canadian currency.

As a result of the investigation, Jessie Migwans, 25, from M’Chigeeng First Nation has been charged with: possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), possession of a schedule one substance (cocaine) and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Devonte Blair, 28, from Scarborough has been charged with: possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), possession of a schedule one substance (cocaine), possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and obstructing a peace officer.

Both accused persons were held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury bail court.

OPP lay multiple charges following incident in Espanola

One individual has been arrested and charged by the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP following an intimate partner disturbance.

On June 19, shortly before 11 am, the Manitoulin OPP responded to an assault in Espanola. 

As a result of the investigation, a 31-year-old person from Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) has been charged with: three counts of failing to comply with probation order, breaking and entering a dwelling house with intent to commit indictable offence, assault causing bodily harm-choke, suffocate or strangle, forcible confinement, mischief and theft over $5,000 of a motor vehicle.

The accused was held in custody.

Due to the nature of the incident, the name of the accused will not be released to protect the identity of the victim.

Manitoulin OPP lay 43rd impaired driving charge 

The Manitoulin detachment of the OPP has laid 43 impaired driving charges since January 1.

On June 19 shortly after 4 pm, the Manitoulin OPP responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 17. Police received information that a vehicle was being driven at a high rate of speed and unable to maintain its lane.

Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Upon speaking with the driver, police were able to determine that the driver was impaired. The driver was subsequently arrested and transported to the OPP detachment for further testing.

As a result of the investigation, Ryan Chang, 26, from Vancouver has been charged with: possession of a schedule one substance (methamphetamine), two counts of possession of a schedule III substance, operation while impaired (alcohol and drugs), driving a motor vehicle with liquor readily available and driving a vehicle with cannabis readily available.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on August 6.

The driver was issued a 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. 

Manitoulin OPP charge driver with impaired driving

On June 15, shortly before 10 pm, the Manitoulin detachment of the OPP received a report of a motor vehicle collision on Lang Lake Road. Police located the vehicle and upon speaking with the driver, determined that the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages. The driver was subsequently arrested and transported to the OPP detachment for further testing.

As a result of the investigation, Jonathon Violino, 44, from Garson has been charged with operation while impaired (alcohol and drugs), operation while impaired (blood alcohol concentration 80 plus).

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on July 8, 

The driver was issued a 90-administrative driver’s licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Two incidents of impaired driving results in arrests

On Saturday, June 15 the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) received a call of a suspicious person that occurred in the Prairie Point area on the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT). It was reported that a vehicle was observed striking a dock while attempting to pull a boat out of the water.

At approximately 8:30 pm officers responded to the area and located a black pick-up truck towing a pontoon style boat. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the suspect vehicle and spoke to the male driver.

The driver displayed signs of impairment by alcohol. Officers administered the roadside test to which the driver failed. The driver was subsequently placed under arrest for impaired driving over 80 milligrams and transported to the police office for breath tests.

The driver was found to have alcohol in their system exceeding the legal limit.

As a result of the investigation, a 69-year-old male resident of Wiikwemkoong has been charged with one count of impaired operation and one count of impaired over 80 milligrams.

The accused was later released and is set to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice (provincial division) in Wiikwemkoong on July 23 to answer to the charges.

Due to the provisions of the Criminal Code, the name of the driver will be released once the information has been sworn.

Impaired driver arrested in Wiikwemkoong

On Thursday, June 13, at 12:50 pm, the WTPS conducted a traffic stop on Wikwemikong Way for a traffic offense. As a result of the investigation the driver, Marc Pheasant, 56, from WUT was found to be impaired by alcohol and was subsequently arrested and charged as follows: impaired by alcohol, , blood alcohol concentration 80 plus, fail to signal turn and driving with open liquor.

The accused will appear in Wikwemikong court on July 9, to answer to the charges. His driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days and his vehicle impounded under the provincial VIP program.

“The WTPS take a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving in our community. By calling 911 and reporting suspected impaired drivers to police, everyone can assist in keeping our roads, trails and waterways safe by reducing impaired collisions, deaths and injuries,” the WTPS said in the release.

Several traffic enforcement incidents result in charges

On June 13, officers were conducting a reduce impaired driving everywhere (RIDE) check when a motor vehicle approached. Officers detected an odour of cannabis coming from the vehicle. A vehicle search was conducted with officers locating cannabis and paraphernalia inside the vehicle. As a result of the investigation, the driver was found to not be impaired, but was charged with having cannabis readily available.

On June 14 officers with WTPS observed a motor vehicle with no front plate. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle and found the driver to be suspended for unpaid fines. As a result of the investigation the driver’s licence was seized and the driver was charged with driving while under suspension.

On June 15 officers with WTPS observed an all-terrain (ATV) vehicle with a female passenger who was not wearing a helmet. The ATV was stopped and the driver was identified. As a result of the investigation, the driver was charged with drive with passenger not wearing a helmet and drive non-passenger ATV with a passenger, contrary to the HTA.

The WTPS is committed to keeping the roadways, waterways and trails safe and will be endeavouring to enforce all HTA laws and regulations.

The WTPS responded to 139 calls for service during the week of June 10-16.

Article written by

Expositor Staff
Expositor Staffhttps://www.manitoulin.com
Published online by The Manitoulin Expositor web staff