Sarnia Police have arrested two people and charged them with several offences involving the theft of goods from a business on Campbell Street from December 24, 2013. Police took the initial break and enter report from a business in the 400 block of Campbell Street. The break and enter occurred sometime between the early evening of December 23 and the morning of December 24. Foot prints appeared in the snow, left behind by two different suspects.

On December 30, 2013, two people attended a location in the 1200 block of London Road and sold some jewelry. Later, Sarnia Police were contacted and attended that location. They saw goods and also viewed store video. Two people, a man and a woman, were observed walking into the location and selling the items. Police seized the jewelry as evidence. Later, the goods were positively identified by the rightful owner and the victim of the break and enter from December 24.

On January 2, 2014, an 18 year old Petrolia woman was arrested by the OPP and brought to Sarnia Police headquarters on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 and Fraud Under $5,000. On January 4, 2014, a 24 year old Oil Springs man was arrested by Sarnia Police. He faces charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000, Fraud Under $5,000, Breach of Probation and Unlawfully at Large. The man was held for bail; the woman released on a Promise to Appear with a court date in February.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police arrested at 22 year old Sarnia man on an outstanding warrant. When he was arrested, he was carrying a back pack and inside the back pack, police discovered several pieces of jewelry. There are numerous bracelets, necklaces, watches, rings, pins, miscellaneous coins and a small music box. He was arrested in the area of Lakeshore and Murphy Road on January 6 around 11 PM.

Police have attempted to identify any recent break and enters that may involve these items but have been unsuccessful in that endeavor.

Pictures of the items are available to view at the following link: Jewelry Recovered

If you recognize any of these pieces, you may call Detective Constable Mike Kahnert at 519-344-8861, extension 6196

Constable Les Jones

Community Services Branch

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6091

Email: ljones@police.sarnia.on.ca

Members of the Sarnia Police Service Vice Branch were busy once again.  Shortly after 1:30 AM on Wednesday January 8, 2014, Vice officers, assisted by Uniform Patrol, stopped a vehicle on Earlscourt Drive in Sarnia. As a result of their investigation officers arrested the 29 year old male driver along with the 44 year old male passenger.

A search revealed approximately 65 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6 grams of cocaine and 6 grams of marihuana along with packaging material.

The driver faces 2 charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, 1 charge of Possession of Marihuana and 1 charge of Failing to Comply with Probation.

The passenger faces 2 charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and 2 charges of Breach of Recognizance.

The total street value of the drugs seized is approximately $8600.00. Both Sarnia men are being held pending bail hearings.

Constable Les Jones

Community Services Branch

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6091

Email: ljones@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police Vice Branch had another successful drug bust early this morning in the 300 block of Kathleen Avenue. Around 12:45 AM, they entered the home on the strength of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant and found a total of 5 people, four males and one female. Marihuana was in plain view in the living room and the 38 year old female and the 33 year old male found there were immediately arrested. A 17 year old male was located upstairs and arrested. A 15 year old youth and a 19 year old man were found in the basement. After some investigation, the two individuals found in the basement were released unconditionally as they did not reside there.

A search of the residence turned up a total of over 48 grams of crystal methamphetamine, over 12 grams of marihuana, a fentanyl patch, an oxycodone tablet and a small amount of cocaine. A total street value for these drugs is about $6056. Also seized was over $2400 in cash and other drug paraphernalia.

All three were held for bail. The 17 year old Sarnia youth will face a charge of Possession of Cannabis Marihuana. He was living in the home and because of his age, was held for bail. The other two adults are jointly charged with Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Cannabis Marihuana. The woman faces an additional charge of Breach of Probation and the adult male has additional charges of Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

The Sarnia Police Service has received 361 9-1-1 calls since December 25, 2013 from the same cellular telephone. This phone is most likely a Rogers customer and has no SIM card. The Sarnia Police Service is unable to obtain any subscriber information on this phone but is able to identify a location which is within a one kilometer radius of Wellington and Stuart Streets. When the police communication centre answers the call, there is a garbled message which the communicators believe could be a small child or possibly someone with a disability.

The 9-1-1 call centre has received these calls every day commencing on December 25 up until yesterday. Sometimes there are several calls a day, in fact on one day there were 58 calls in total from this same cellular phone. The most common time is from 9 AM – 10 AM, 1 PM – 2 PM, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, 7 PM – 7:30 PM and from 8 PM – 9 PM. A possible scenario to this concern is that someone has received a new phone for Christmas and passed their old one off to their child without realizing that a 9-1-1 call can still be made on a cell phone with no SIM card or even no service.

A sound bite of a couple of the many calls is attached and can be listened to by clicking on the following link: http://youtu.be/RnqtN3a2jts.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police arrested a 38 year old Sarnia man this morning just before 4 AM on Vimy Crescent. He was pushing a snow blower down the road. The call came in about 20 minutes earlier as a suspicious person observed in the 300 block of Kathleen Avenue. There was fresh fallen snow on the ground which helped police immensely. After speaking to the complainant, the officer followed the foot prints of the suspicious person eastbound on Kathleen Avenue towards Indian Road. Alongside the footprints was a bike trail.

The trail continued from Indian Road to Oak Street, then north on Lansdowne Avenue. The trail lead the officer to Vimy Crescent and southbound onto Massey Crescent. The trail stopped and that is when the officer spotted a bike in the snowdrift. Another officer spotted a suspect pushing a snow blower on Vimy Crescent. He was also carrying a back pack and ice breaking tool. The officer spoke to the suspect. The trail of the snow blower led the officer to a home on Massey Crescent. The 48 year old home owner came and identified the snow blower as belonging to him and it had been parked in his driveway earlier.

Information was given to the officers that the suspect was currently on probation. The suspect was arrested. Inside the back pack, officers found several tools. He is facing charges of Theft Under $5,000, Trespass by Night, Possession of Break in Tools and Breach of Probation. He is being held for bail.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police are releasing the first Fugitive Five list for 2014. On this list, there are three individuals who are outstanding from the last Fugitive Five list from September 12, 2013.

If anyone has information on the whereabouts of any of the following individuals, please call the Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Jonathan Gil LEITH, DOB: 04May1976, age 37. Male, white, 170 cm (5′ 7″), 77 kg (170 lbs), black hair, brown eyes. Tattoos on both arms. Wanted for Failing to Attend Court on September 3, Fail to Attend for Fingerprints and Assault.

Marshall Jay Scott MANESS, DOB: 30Dec1973, age 39. Male, aboriginal, 180 cm (5′ 11″), 68 kg (150 lbs), brown hair, brown eyes. Tattoos on both arms and scars over eye and right upper arm. Wanted for Assault with a Weapon.

Brandon William Scott MCNEVAN, DOB: 30Nov1990, age 22. Male, white, 173 cm (5′ 8″), 68 kg (150 lbs), brown hair, brown eyes. Pierced eyebrow. Wanted for Fail to Comply Recognizance x 3, Resist Peach Officer, Escape Custody, Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Break and Enter x 2. McNevan’s surety has also been revoked from his previous form of release.

MCNEVAN is most likely with Nicole Christine MARTINDALE who is reported as a missing person with the Sarnia Police Service. She is currently 18 years old.

Bryan Joseph HELWIG, DOB: 27June1982, age31. Male,white,196cm(6’5″),113 kg (252 lbs.),brown hair, blue eyes. Tattoos both upper arms, both ankles and left calf. Wanted for Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 and Fail to Comply with Recognizance.

Tyson Wayne SHIPMAN , DOB: 18Sept1985,age 28.Male Aboriginal,180 cm (5’11″),86 kg(190 lbs.),black hair, brown eyes. Tattoo left hand. Wanted for Assault with a Weapon, Robbery with a Weapon and Theft Under $5000.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

The 41 year old driver of a John Deere tractor with a snow plow attached has been fined $155. A Sarnia officer spotted the tractor in the area of Wellington and Queen Streets with morning around 9 AM. Both of the driver’s hands were on the steering wheel but his head was tilted off to the side. The officer approached the tractor and saw the driver had a cell phone between his ear and his shoulder and was talking on it as he plowed the roadway.

He was issued a Provincial Offence Notice for Driving with a Hand Held Device.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

The caller of the numerous 9-1-1 calls made to Sarnia Police Service since December 25, 2013 has been identified. The caller is a 10 year old hearing impaired and developmentally delayed student that cannot speak and attends a local public school. An educational assistant at the school upon hearing the story informed a teacher at the school. The teacher was aware that the student enjoyed playing with gadgets and lived in the area that the calls were coming from. The teacher took the phone today and placed a call, which came into the Sarnia Police Service.

The parent of the student, believing the phone would have no service capabilities had removed the SIM card and gave it to the child knowing the child was interested in electronic gadgets. The child was not aware that 9-1-1 was being contacted each time. There will be no charges in regards to this matter.

The Sarnia Police is much appreciative of the attention this investigation has garnered and is also relieved that no one was under duress and requiring any emergency services. The Service is also hoping this has been a learning experience to all cell phone owners.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Members of the Sarnia Police Service Vice Branch were busy once again.  Shortly after 1:30 AM on Wednesday January 8, 2014, Vice officers, assisted by Uniform Patrol, stopped a vehicle on Earlscourt Drive in Sarnia. As a result of their investigation officers arrested the 29 year old male driver along with the 44 year old male passenger.

A search revealed approximately 65 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6 grams of cocaine and 6 grams of marihuana along with packaging material.

The driver faces 2 charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, 1 charge of Possession of Marihuana and 1 charge of Failing to Comply with Probation.

The passenger faces 2 charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and 2 charges of Breach of Recognizance.

The total street value of the drugs seized is approximately $8600.00. Both Sarnia men are being held pending bail hearings.

Constable Les Jones

Community Services Branch

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 6091

Email: ljones@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police Vice Branch had another successful drug bust early this morning in the 300 block of Kathleen Avenue. Around 12:45 AM, they entered the home on the strength of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant and found a total of 5 people, four males and one female. Marihuana was in plain view in the living room and the 38 year old female and the 33 year old male found there were immediately arrested. A 17 year old male was located upstairs and arrested. A 15 year old youth and a 19 year old man were found in the basement. After some investigation, the two individuals found in the basement were released unconditionally as they did not reside there.

A search of the residence turned up a total of over 48 grams of crystal methamphetamine, over 12 grams of marihuana, a fentanyl patch, an oxycodone tablet and a small amount of cocaine. A total street value for these drugs is about $6056. Also seized was over $2400 in cash and other drug paraphernalia.

All three were held for bail. The 17 year old Sarnia youth will face a charge of Possession of Cannabis Marihuana. He was living in the home and because of his age, was held for bail. The other two adults are jointly charged with Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Cannabis Marihuana. The woman faces an additional charge of Breach of Probation and the adult male has additional charges of Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

At about 5:30 P.M. on January 12, a citizen telephoned Sarnia Police to report seeing what they thought might be a person dressed in black bobbing in the waters off Canatara Beach.  Sarnia Police attended the area, and with the assistance of Sarnia Fire Department, Canadian Auxiliary Coast Guard, and the United States Coast Gurad, the area was searched. A vessel from Purdy’s Fisheries also assisted in this endeavour. An ambulance was also on standby as a precaution.

The search was conducted from the water and the air. Points south of Canatara Park were also searched given the current in the area.

The extensive search did not turn up any indication of anyone in the water. The search was concluded at 6:50 PM.

Staff Sergeant Chris Oram

D Platoon

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5271

Email: coram@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police responded to 127 calls for service this second weekend of January of 2014. The calls include:

14 Alarms

6 Break and Enter reports

10 Disturb the Peace

9 Domestic/Family Disputes

6 Liquor Licence Act complaints

4 Suspicious Persons/Trespassing complaints

And the Vice Branch executed their third drug warrant this year at a home in Point Edward. Release coming shortly!

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police executed their second Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a home on Authur Street in Point Edward on Friday night around 10:20 PM. This marks the third significant drug bust of the year. A 54 year old Point Edward man remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing on five charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and 2 counts of Breach of Recognizance.

Vice Branch officers, assisted by members of the Community Response Branch, searched the home and after it was done, over 77 grams of Methamphetamine, 352 grams of marihuana, almost 30 grams of hashish, 10 grams of cannabis resin and 19 Oxycodone tablets was seized. Over $7,500 in Canadian cash was also found. The drugs found in the home carry a street value of about $13,790.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

On January 11 just after 2 AM, a local, 57 year old cab driver attended at the front desk of the Sarnia Police Service with a 41 year old Sarnia man. It was learned that the man had hailed the taxi on Orchard Avenue and requested a transport to a College Street address. When the cab arrived at its destination, the man was not paying the fare.

The 41 year old man was intoxicated and irate. The man was unable to provide his exact address to the officer at the desk. It was difficult to get information from him and he was difficult to understand. He was arrested and taken to the cell block for his safety. He was later released when sober and issued a Provincial Offence Notice for Being Intoxicated in a Public Place.

On Sunday morning around 1:20 AM, officers were sent to an address in the 600 block of Lakeshore Road regarding suspicious persons. Information was given to officers that someone had observed two males on the back porch of a home in the area. The males did not live at the home and they were seen carrying back packs. The males had left the area, eastbound on Lakeshore Road. Officers began checking the area and found the two males just west of Indian Road. One of the males verbally identified himself. He told police he was going to a friend’s house but did not know the friend’s name or address. The other male identified himself and gave his address. Then the story changed.

The males were separated and questioned again as to their identity and where they were going. Police attempted to verify their information but things were still not adding up. One of the males provided a phone number for someone who could vouch for the information, however, the number was out of service. The males were asked about their earlier attendance at the Lakeshore Road address. There was no valid explanation. Police, along with the two males, re-attended the Lakeshore Road address. It was found to be insecure.

More questions were asked and it was soon learned the one males was not who he said he was. He was lying to the police in order to avoid arrest. The second male was eventually released as his true identity was finally confirmed. He was a 17 year old Point Edward youth. The man who was arrested was found to be a 21 year old Sarnia man. He now faces a Criminal Code charge of Public Mischief for falsely identifying himself. He was found to be on a Recognizance of Bail and two Probation Orders. He was held for bail.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police are advising the community to be aware of potential scams on the internet in relation to vacation rental properties. Now is the time of year when people are looking for a place to rental in warmer weather locations and often go the internet to find these deals. Sarnia Police Criminal Investigations Branch is currently investigating a situation where three people have been scammed out of a sum of money for a rental property that does not exist.

Police received the initial complaint in early December. The first victim found a property on a popular web site in October. The victim corresponded with someone via an e mail address that was posted on the ad. A deposit to rent the property was requested and the victim sent about $1400 via Western Union. No actual telephone conversation ever took place; all correspondence was done via e mail. When a telephone number was obtained and a call placed, the number was no longer in service.

The actual address of the property existed; however, the unit number did not. The Western Union money orders were also being sent to a third party that the victim had never corresponded with. The investigation is still ongoing and two other victims have been defrauded in the same manner for the same property.

Sarnia Police are advising that if you intend to rent a property out of the country, be extra cautious. Do plenty of research before sending any money. Use a legitimate travel agency instead of the internet. Rent a property that you know actually exists because a friend has rented it before. Be very vigilant about suspicious or odd e mails and phone calls from the so called property owner.

These types of investigations are very time consuming and quite difficult because it involves different jurisdictions, different countries and their laws versus Canadian Laws. The line of communication between law enforcement agencies in other countries is often confusing and there may be a language barrier. Most often the outcome is not a positive one for the victim.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police are investigating an incident that occurred at a business in the 1300 block of London Road on January 12, 2014. An employee of that business, a 21 year old Sarnia man, saw a male in the store concealing items in his pants. The employee notified two other employees of what he observed. The two female employees of the same business followed the suspect and observed him selecting various items in the store and placing them in other locations. The suspect eventually left the business.

When the suspect left the business, he observed the 21 year old employee that originally saw him concealing the items in his pants. He approached that employee and made a threat to cause bodily harm to him. The suspect is described as a white male, about 5′ 9″, wearing dark jeans and a tan hoodie. The suspect is shown entering the business on the attached video which can be viewed on the Sarnia Police You Tube channel at: http://youtu.be/EeDB0vD6E9E

If you recognize this individual, please call the Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861, extension 6214 or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police Service Traffic Branch is in the midst of investigating a serious single vehicle crash that occurred around the noon hour today on LaSalle Road, just west of Tashmoo Avenue. A 4- door tan coloured Toyota struck a tree on the north side of LaSalle and, as a result, two people inside were trapped and had to be extricated from the vehicle. The elderly male driver is being transferred to a hospital in London with serious injuries. The female passenger was also taken to hospital and her condition remains unknown at the time of this release.

The road was closed for a few hours as the Traffic Branch took measurements and the Sarnia Police Forensic Identification Branch took photographs. All three emergency services were at the scene to assist. It is believed that the Toyota was eastbound on LaSalle Road, crossed the roadway and struck the tree on the north side. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. If you have information that may assist the Traffic Branch, please call Constable Mark Berger at 519-344-8861, extension 6156.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

On September 26, 2013, Sarnia Police were called to a home in the 100 block of Queen Street regarding an assault on two seniors. The couple, ages 65 and 68, were assaulted around 9:30 PM that night after the 68 year old man from the home went out to confront three males that his 65 year old wife observed in their back yard trying to steal items. The males attempted to flee by jumping the fence but the 68 year old grabbed one of them. The suspect cut the senior with an unknown sharp object. The victim suffered a laceration to his hand and thumb.

The victim’s 65 year old wife tried to intervene to assist her husband but she too, was cut on her arm with the same object. The suspect ran down the driveway. Sarnia Police had to re-attend the same location just after 3 AM the next morning because the persistent thieves had returned. It was later learned the woman had suffered two broken ribs during the altercation when she tried to help her husband.

Sarnia officers that responded to the area could not locate the suspects but they did recover some evidence left behind by the suspects. One of the items was a black balaclava. That balaclava was sent away for analysis to the Centre of Forensic Sciences. On January 8, 2014, the Sarnia Police Criminal Investigations Branch received information from the Centre that the DNA on that balaclava belongs to the accused in this matter, James Steward Viggers of Sarnia. On January 15, 2014, he was arrested on two counts of Aggravated Assault and Robbery with a Weapon. He remains in custody on these matters and will make a court appearance video on January 24, 2014.

The investigation is continuing. If anyone has any more information on this crime, please contact Detective Constable Mike Kahnert of the Criminal Investigations Branch at 519-344-8861, extension 6196 or you call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca

Sarnia Police Criminal Investigations Branch is investigating an altercation that took place last evening between 8 PM and 9 PM on Wellington Street between Mitton and Brock Streets. The altercation took place on the north sidewalk, between two teenaged females. A 17 year old Sarnia teen received a minor injury during the altercation. The suspect female left in an unknown direction on Wellington Street. She was wearing a black hoodie.

Police are looking for witnesses who may have been driving in the area during that time or residents who live in the area and may have seen or heard something. If you can assist with this investigation, please contact Detective Constable J. Lewis at 519-344-8861, extension 6200 or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca