WIIKWEMKOONG—A Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory man, the victim of a reported abduction, has been located safe. Two people have been arrested and a third suspect has been identified by police, but has not been named. It has not been reported whether the third suspect has been arrested or any charges laid.
On July 25, shortly after 10:30 am, the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) responded to a report that 27-year-old William Paibomsai-Lesage had been abducted on Willow Street in Wiikwemkoong.
Police had received information that Mr. Paibomsai-Lesage was on Willow Street when he was approached by two males, assaulted and forced into a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with Ontario licence plate BZ320028.
Two people have been arrested and the other suspect has now been identified. Christian (Reese) Cormiere, 38, of no fixed address, has been charged with assault, kidnapping, possession of a schedule 1 substance, methamphetamine and three counts of fail to comply with probation order. The accused remained in custody and was scheduled to appear virtually before the Ontario Court of Justice in Little Current on July 27.
Luke Flammand, 36, from Wiikwemkoong has been charged with kidnapping. The accused remained in custody and was scheduled to appear before Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay on July 29.
In an update on July 27, the police reported that Mr. Paibomsai-Lesage had been located safely and the outstanding suspect has been identified.
The Manitoulin OPP Crime Unit and WTPS, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch are continuing the investigation and have requested assistance from members of the public for any information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Mr. Paibomsai-Lesage.
Police thank the public for their assistance throughout the investigation. Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact the Manitoulin OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
