On February 4, 2019, at approximately 6:50 pm, officers from Sarnia Police, Sarnia Fire, and Lambton EMS responded to Confederation Line regarding a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to Bluewater Health but later transferred to London Health Sciences Centre with life threatening injuries.

On February 6, 2019, Andre Verstaen, 86 years, of Sarnia, died in hospital.

The driver of the involved vehicle stopped at the scene and rendered assistance to Mr. Verstaen and called 911.

The Sarnia Police Traffic Branch and Criminal Investigation Branch continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding the collision is asked to contact Detective Constable Sam Sulaiman at 519-344-8861, extension 6132.

Over the course of the weekend the Sarnia Police Service responded 106 calls for service. Calls included the following:

7 – Alarms

5 – Ambulance Assists

7 – Disturb the Peace

8 – Domestic Disputes

5 – Thefts

4 – Trespass to Property

4 – Unwanted Persons

5 – Welfare/Well-Beings Checks

Road officers conducted approximately 14 routine traffic stops for various driving related concerns.

Officers issued 22 Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) over the weekend for various infractions.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

On February 14, 2019, at approximately 9:15 am a member of the Sarnia Police Service Traffic Unit attended a collision on London Road, west of East Street, where a westbound pick-up truck struck the rear of another westbound vehicle that had stopped to turn left into a parking lot.

As the officer continued his investigation into the collision he noted that the driver of the pick-up truck was having difficulty following instructions. As the officer dealt even further with the driver of the pick-up he formed reasonable grounds to arrest the male for allegedly being impaired by drugs, namely marijuana. The suspect was taken into custody and shortly thereafter transported back to the Sarnia Police Headquarters.

There the suspect was presented to a Sarnia Police Service Officer who has been designated a Drug Recognition Evaluator. Upon completing the battery of test and observations, the accused, Michael Joseph Mercurio, 33 years of age, was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle by drug. The accused was later released with a court date for March 19, 2019, at 9:30 am, in Sarnia.

Fortunately no one sustained any injuries during the collision and there was only minor damage to the vehicles.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service Records and Freedom of Information Department will be closed on February 18, 2019 for the Family Day Holiday. Therefore, no back-ground police checks or release of reports will be available to the public.

We apologize for the inconvenience but the office will re-open on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at 8:30 am.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

Over the course of the long weekend the Sarnia Police Service responded to 162 calls for service. Calls included the following:

15 – Alarms

6 – Ambulance Assists

4 – Assaults

6 – Break and Enter Reports

16 – Domestic Disputes

13 – Family Disputes

7 – Person Welfare/Well-Being

6 – Shoplifter

8 – Traffic Complaints

5 – Unwanted Persons

Road officers conducted approximately 29 routine traffic stops for various driving related concerns. Officers issued 25 Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) over the weekend for various infractions.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

On February 18, 2019, at approximately 3:00 am, the Sarnia Police Service was dispatched to a vehicle on London Road near Mayfair after receiving a call from a witness advising that the male driver was asleep behind the wheel.

Upon police arriving the officer noted that the vehicle was still running, the headlights were still on, the male occupant was still asleep, and a small black dog was also inside the vehicle with the driver.

After several attempts the driver was finally awoken. Upon investigating the matter further, the officer formed reasonable grounds to arrest the driver for impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

The accused was transported back to the station where a small quantity of marijuana hashish and a “roach” from a marijuana cigarette was located on his person.

The accused provided samples of breath into the Intoxilyzer that was administered by a qualified breath technician. The tests confirmed that the accused had over 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood.

The accused, Terry Leo Smith, 55 years of age, of Sarnia, faces charges for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and for having a blood alcohol concentration of over 80 mg.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service is looking for the public’s assistance in locating Jerian LATAWIEC who is 24 years of age. LATAWIEC is transient in nature and may have travelled to Toronto. He has not been in contact with any of his family members recently and they are concerned for his welfare. If you have any information in assisting the police with locating LATAWIEC, please call Constable Steve WYVILLE at 519-344-8861 or speak to a member of the Criminal Investigations Branch.

Sergeant Van Sickle

Community Response Division

As part of ongoing investigations regarding various break and enters within the City of Sarnia, officers from the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigation Branch requested and were granted a warrant to search a residence in the 300 block of Christina Street South.

On February 20, 2019, at approximately 2:30 pm members of the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigation Branch, Vice Unit and COPPS Unit executed the search warrant.

Officers located a male and two females at the time of entry in the residence. A second male who resided at the address was not present.

Upon a search of the residence officers were able to locate evidence that linked the two male suspects to previous break and enters to local businesses earlier this month.

Officers also located approximately 15.34 grams of purple fentanyl with a street value of $7670.00, along with 1539 grams of marihuana and 71 grams of cannabis resin with a total street value of $20,292.00. Officers also located rounds of ammunition in the residence.

Secondary to the search warrant the following people have been arrested, and await a bail hearing for the following charges:

1. Molly Anne Beauchamp, 23 years of age, of Sarnia, is being charged with breach of probation x3, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl) and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to the federal Cannabis Act, section 10(2).
2. Jolene Neebing Joseph, 23 years of age, of no fixed address, is being charged with breach of probation, possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl) and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to the federal Cannabis Act, section 10(2).
3. Michael Derrick Williams, 33 years of age, of Sarnia, is being charged with break, enter and commit x2, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.00 x2, breach of probation x3, possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl) and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to the federal Cannabis Act, section 10(2).
4. Michael John Garner, 35 years of age, of Sarnia, has since been arrested and is facing charges for break, enter and commit x2, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.00 x3, attempt to act on forged document, possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl), possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to the federal Cannabis Act, section 10(2) and possession of firearm or ammunition while prohibited x3. He too will await a bail hearing.

If anyone has any information regarding this case they are please asked to contact Detective Jeff Rovers at 519-344-8861, extension 6159, or Detective Sgt. Michael Kahnert at 519-344-8861, extension 6196. You may also contact Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

Over the course of the weekend the Sarnia Police Service responded to 202 calls for service. Calls included the following:

8 – 911 Hang-ups

11 – Alarms

5 – Ambulance Assists

19 – Domestic Disputes

13 – Motor Vehicle Collisions

9 – Person Welfare / Well-Being Checks

7 – Thefts

5 – Threats

8 – Unwanted Persons

Road officers conducted approximately 34 routine traffic stops for various driving related concerns. Officers issued 16 Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) over the weekend for various infractions.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, in the morning hours, three suspects attended a Sarnia area cannabis dispensary and stole a large quantity of cannabis products along with cash. The suspects wielded a shot gun during the robbery and left the area in a pickup truck which had been stolen from a local business earlier.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service investigated the robbery and were able to identify two of the suspects in the matter.

Michael Derrick Williams, 33 years of age, and Michael John Garner, 35 years of age, both of Sarnia, remain in custody with offences related to robbery.

A third suspect has yet to be positively identified and the shotgun has not yet been recovered.

If anyone has any information pertaining to the possible location of this firearm they are please asked to contact Detective Kent Jamieson at 519-344-8861, at extension 6221, or Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service has been made aware of a current concern that goes by the name of the “Momo Challenge”.

Basically, this “game” appears to mainly affect wireless devices such as cell phones and tablets. An attached picture will pop-up while on Youtube video or games for kids such as Minecraft and begin to interact with the child. The pop ad for the “Momo Challenge” will state something innocently enough like “say hi to Momo” in hope that the person will interact with it. The unsuspecting person might click and say hi, allowing the program to grab the contacts and IP address and other info (i.e, GPS). Over time (days or weeks) the program pops up again and asks if you want to play a game with Momo, such as taking a picture of you waiving out the window.

This continues and becomes increasingly more sinister as it gives more challenges and tells you to take a picture to prove what you have done. Over the course of time the challenges increase such as “Take a picture of yourself slapping a dog or take a picture of you cutting your hand, go take a picture of you setting fire to something in the back yard,” etc.

If the challenges are ignored or not complied with, Momo will continue to prompt the user in the following days, stating “I haven’t heard from you in a couple of days, have you done your challenge?” and progressively becoming more of a nuisance until eventually threatening harm to the user or their family (“do it or I’m going to find your family and kill your mother”).

Unfortunately in other countries individuals have fallen victim to this and some have lost their lives because of this heinous prank.

Ultimately the “Momo Challenge” is a means to insert spy ware on your computer and gather information, and secondly, to cause distress in people’s lives via threats.

Fortunately, the Sarnia Police Service has not had to deal with anything related to the “Momo Challenge”, rather, it wants to make the public aware of its existence and the need to inform you children not to interact with the pop up.

Rather, immediately shut off the program your on and don’t open up that specific video you watched. Take the time to monitor what sites your children have been on to ensure nothing has happened and talk to your children about this issue to avoid further problems.

Please find attached the image that appears with this pop-up.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service has recently put forth a media release pertaining to the “Momo Challenge” and the concern it had regarding the possible threat of the pop-up add being opened and in turn creating an opportunity for the computer owner’s information to be hacked along with the fact it goes on over time challenging the person to commit certain acts.

Since the initial media release it has been brought to our attention, along with other information, that the “Momo Challenge” is likely a hoax.

The concern that remains is that this matter still runs the risk of potentially affecting individuals who maybe, for whatever reason, vulnerable to this sort of alleged hoax.

Unfortunately, everyday people are taken advantage of through various scams and hoaxes that prey on individuals which in turn may lead to money be lost or harm be done. As the police erring on the side of caution rather than simply ignoring a possible threat makes more sense. Thanks to the public’s help in this matter we were able to make more sense of what this is all about.

Please remind those around you of what is out there and regardless of it being a hoax or not there is always potential harm that can be done.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

SA19003837

Missing Person Located

The Sarnia Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation. The missing male, Gerry Martin has been located and reunited with family.

A/Sgt. Gavin Armstrong

Tel: 519-344-8861

Email: garmstrong@police.sarnia.on.ca

Please be advised that until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances the Sarnia Police Service general inquiries line – 519-344-8861, will be out of service. The 911 system will remain in-service for emergency calls only. Please refrain from calling 911 for non-emergent calls.

The issues with the phone disruption are being looked after and the service would like to apologize for any inconvenience.

Staff Sergeant Paul Mamak #123

Sarnia Police Service

B Platoon – Community Response Division

Tel: 519-344-8861 x 6123
Email: pmamak@police.sarnia.on.ca

Earlier this afternoon, the Sarnia Police Service experienced some difficulties with the general inquiries phone line; (519) 344-8861.

That issue has now been rectified and the public can reach the Sarnia Police Service once again for regular calls for service or inquiries. The 9-1-1 phone line was not affected during the incident.

Staff Sergeant Leo Murphy

Criminal Investigation Branch

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6142

Email: lmurphy@police.sarnia.on.ca

Over the course of the weekend the Sarnia Police Service responded to 163 calls for service. Calls included the following:

11 – Alarms

7 – Ambulance Assists

5 – Break and Enter Reports

24 – Domestics

5 – Family Disputes

6 – Motor Vehicle Collisions

5 – Noise Complaints

5 – Trespass To Property

12 – Unwanted Persons

Road officers conducted approximately 21 routine traffic stops for various driving related concerns. Officers issued 14 Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) over the weekend for various infractions.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

Currently the Sarnia Police Service is still experiencing issues with our phone lines. We are currently experiencing incidents where the line goes dead in mid conversation. Fortunately, our 911 lines are not affected.

If the line does go dead during your conversation we ask that you please call back. Do not call 911 if it is not an emergency.

We truly apologize for this problem and are doing our utmost to have it resolved as soon as possible by our phone line provider.

Thank you for your patience.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance in an attempt to locate Brandi Sparling, 28 years of age, of Sarnia but of no fixed address.

Brandi was last seen several days ago and has not been heard from since. The Sarnia Police Service would like to ensure Brandi’s well-being.

If anyone has any information regarding her whereabouts they are please asked to call 519-344-8861 and contact either Detective Kent Jamieson, at extension 6221, Detective Sgt. Michael Kahnert at extension 6196, or leave a message at extension 5300.

Please find a photo attached below.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.

Brandi Sparling has been located and is safe.

Constable Giovanni Sottosanti

Media Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6168

Email: 168@police.sarnia.on.ca