Sarnia Police responded to 105 calls for service over the weekend from Friday April 5 at 5 PM up to this morning.  The calls:

8   Disturb the Peace/Noise Complaints

14 Domestic/Family Disputes

5   Mischief Complaints

8   Motor Vehicle Collision Complaints

6   Bail Violation/Prevent Breach of the Peace Complaints

4   Suspicious Person/Trespassing/Unwanted Person Complaints

7   Theft Complaints

On Saturday April 6, 2013, around 10:15 AM, Sarnia Police were called to attend the 700 block of South Indian Road in regards to a man on a bike with a knife.  Officers arrived and found a 46 year old Sarnia man on a bicycle in the parking lot of a business.  He appeared incoherent.  There was a large piece of wood attached to his bike with a knife sticking out the end.  They could also see a silver handle protruding from a bag over his shoulder. 

He was arrested and handcuffed.  One of the items in his bag was a six inch stainless steel meat cleaver.  A total of 9 weapons were taken off the accused.  They included four other knives, a straight razor and a sock with a stainless steel ball in the end of it.  This is commonly known as a blackjack, which is a prohibited item.      

The man’s bike was also seized as evidence.  He is facing charges of Carry Concealed Weapon x 2, Weapons Dangerous x 2, Possess Prohibited Weapon and Breach of Probation.  He was held for bail.

On Friday April 5 around 10:30 PM, a Sarnia officer was on patrol in the 1500 block of London Line.  The officer observed a motor vehicle on a business property.  The officer approached the vehicle and detected a strong odour of burning marihuana.  A man was found on the property, dressing himself.  He was nude from the waist down.  The 42 year old London man advised police that there was marihuana in his vehicle.  Police located about 10 grams of the substance.  He was taken to headquarters to be processed.  Once there, a further search of his possessions located some oxycodone.   He faces a charge of Possession of Marihuana and Possession of Oxycodone.  He was later released on a Promise to Appear and will make his first court appearance on May 6, 2013.

On Sunday April 7, 2013, just after 3 AM, an officer on patrol in the area of Mitton and Wellington Streets observed a car parked in behind a business.  The vehicle had two occupants.  The officer approached and detected the odour of burning marihuana.  A 37 year old woman and a 23 year old man, both from Sarnia, were inside the car.   They were found in possession of open beer.  They were arrested.  

A small quantity of marihuana was also found in the car.  The pair was released but not before receiving a Provincial Offence Notice for Having Liquor in Open Containers Other Than Licence Premises.  The marihuana was seized for destruction.

Sarnia Police are reminding the community to be extra cautious at this time of year and especially this past week with all the rain fall, as area ditches, ponds and streams are, at times, over flowing with water.  Bank edges become slippery and unstable and people are being advised to stay away and be alert.  Children and people walking with their pets should be extra vigilant in these areas.

Frauds complaints continue to plague the Sarnia Police Service.  In the past two weeks, they have taken reports from three citizens on three very different types of scams.  In two of those investigations, some money was recovered or no money was ever sent.  However, a 58 year old woman lost over $7,000 and an 89 year old senior lost about $17,000.

A 58 year old Sarnia woman met a man on-line on a dating web site in December of 2012.  He wooed her with a story of being together soon but needed money to retire early from his career and move to Canada to be with her.  She wired money to him on several occasions to an address in Africa.   The woman received a phone call in March from the suspect who informed her he was at the Toronto Airport and being detained by officials.  He told her he had to pay fees for gifts he was bringing to her.  At this point, the woman became suspicious and called authorities to confirm the suspect’s story.  She learned there were no such fees.  She called the suspect back for further clarification and he attempted to convince her it was not a scam. Needless to say, it was.

The woman did provide Sarnia Police with all receipts of money transfers and all e mail communications, however, the funds were not able to be recovered.

In late March, a 21 year old Sarnia woman applied for a job on the popular site “Kijiji”. The alert female became suspicious at the beginning of April when the woman she had been corresponding with in regards to the job position told her she would be receiving a cheque in the mail which included extra money.  The woman was to deduct her first week’s wage from that cheque and return it to an orphanage overseas.  Addresses and locations were just not adding up.  The woman did receive a cheque via courier.  The woman attended Sarnia Police with that cheque.  An officer at police headquarters did some investigating by going onto the courier’s website to track the package and calling the bank from which the cheque was issued.  It was a scam.  This young woman was correct in contacting police and not sending any money. 

Unfortunately, in the last incident, an 89 year old Sarnia senior lost over $17,000 when the senior sent money to who was believed to be the grandson of the senior.  This popular “grandparent” scam preys on the elderly when they receive a call from someone purporting to be a relative who has gotten themselves into trouble in another province or country and need money immediately to get out of the situation.

This senior attended Sarnia Police in late March with concerns about the phone call.  On two separate occasions, two Sarnia officers spent time with this senior attempting to convey that it was a scam and that the caller was not the grandson.  The caller convinced the senior it was the grandson and that he had gotten into a crash in a rental vehicle in Montreal and required money for damages.  The “grandson” called on more than two occasions asking for more money for insurance and for bail purposes.  

The senior sent money via courier.  In early April, the senior contacted the grandson and found out it was not him who had been calling.  The senior contacted the authorities in Quebec.  Montreal Police did, in fact, intercept one of the courier packages and the senior will be getting about $3,500 back.  This is a very rare instance and it was learned later that the senior was not initially forthcoming with Sarnia Police in the amount of money that had already been sent off to the scammers. 

Seniors become the main target of these types of scams because they are more trusting and polite, have excellent credit ratings and often have “nest eggs”.  The con artist will target and exploit the senior sector of society as they know seniors have a more difficult time of saying “no” when they hear about a family member who may be in trouble.  Families are encouraged to have open lines of communication with each other.  Seniors often do not report when they have been targeted by these crooks because of shame and embarrassment.

If it sounds even slightly suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.  For more information on fraud information and safety you can call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.  (formerly Phone Busters)

Several people have reported thefts from their motor vehicles between April 9 and 11, 2013 in the Sherwood Village subdivision.  Unknown persons entered several vehicles on Oslo, Turner, Oakburne and Frost Avenues during the evening and early morning hours and removed bridge tokens, loose change, an iPod, headphones and documents.

Keep valuables out of sight.  Lock your vehicle doors.  The warmer weather is soon approaching and desperate thieves will be loitering about looking for anything of value they can quickly grab. 

Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhoods.  Install motion sensor devices on your property.  Keep lights on inside your home at night and secure windows.  Call Crime Stoppers if you have any information on people that are committing these crimes.  1-800-222-8477.

Sarnia Police Vice Branch executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of Davis Street on Saturday April 13 just after 10 PM.  Two people were arrested; a 39 year old man and a 29 year old woman, both from Sarnia.  The woman was later released on a Promise to Appear and the man was held for a bail hearing.

Several dilaudid (hydromorphone) and lorazepam tablets, along with some cash, were seized.  The man faces two charges, Possession of Hyrdromorphone for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Lorazepam for the Purpose of Trafficking.  The investigation continues.

A 52 year old Oil Springs man is facing 33 sex related charges that date back to 2005.  The man, Roger William Allan PINDUS, was arrested yesterday at his home around 12:15 PM by members of the Sarnia Police Service.  He remains in custody and will make his next court appearance on April 16, 2013. 

The offences include Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Invitation to Sexual Touching, Assault, Choking and Forcible Confinement.  A publication ban was ordered by the court this morning that prohibits anyone from identifying the complainant.  The investigation is on-going.

If you have any information in regards to this incident, please contact Detective Constable Jamie LeBlanc at 519-344-8861, extension 6195 or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

On Monday April 15, 2013 at about 4:40 pm, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the intersection of Capel and Exmouth Streets.

The pedestrian, a 69-year-old female, was taken to Bluewater Health and held for observation. The injuries are not life-threatening.

In furtherance of the investigation, police are seeking witnesses to this collision.  Any witness to this collision are asked to call the Traffic Services Branch, Constable Ron Szabo at (519) 344-8861 ext. 6127.

The 8^th annual Community Shred Event hosted by the Sarnia Police Service was a “bulging” success as evident by the truck as it drove away to empty the first load.  A total of two truckloads of shredded documents and paperwork were filled and taken away by A&W Security Shredding of Sarnia.  Over 280 people attended the Wal-Mart parking lot on Saturday, April 13 to have documents shredded.  This annual event is held in an effort to prevent fraud and identity theft.                                                                            

Sarnia Police Service would like to thank their community partners, A & W Security Shredding as well as  Wal-Mart for their participation and support in this cause.  The weather certainly did not co-operate, but that did not deter the numerous Sarnia Police Service employees and their family members who volunteered and assisted in the 4 hours which saw wind, rain and even snow between 10 AM and 2 PM.  A record total of 12,000 pounds of paper (5,500 kg) was shredded. 

A 39 year old Sarnia man appeared in court today, facing 45 sex related charges.  Joseph Lorne LAMORE was arrested on April 13, 2013 in the area of Mitton and Cameron Streets by members of the Sarnia Police Service.  He remains in custody and will appear again on April 19 via video.

The charges include Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Invitation to Sexual Touching, Sexual Exploitation, Forcible Confinement and Assault.  The charges date back to 2003.

The police would like to speak to anyone who may have information regarding this individual.  Please contact the Criminal Investigations Branch, Detective Constable Jaime LeBlanc at 519-344-8861, extension 6195.

Sarnia Police responded to a residence in the 900 block of Maxwell Street just before 8 PM on Wednesday, April 17, to check on the welfare of a 50 year old Sarnia man after family called police, concerned for his well-being.  Police attended and after getting no response at the door, found it to be unlocked.  They entered the premise, announcing themselves numerous times. Lights were on inside but no one was answering.  They eventually located the man sleeping in the bedroom. 

The man was lying beside a shot gun with shells near the weapon.  The firearm was removed from the room.  There was a gun bag on the right side of the bed.  There was evidence of alcohol in the room.  The man awoke.  He became belligerent and verbally abusive. The weapon that was taken from the bed was found to be loaded with one round in the chamber and two in the magazine.  There was another shell in the bed with the man.  The man continued arguing with police.

He was advised he was being arrested for unsafe storage and unauthorized possession of a firearm, after information was received that he did not have any license to possess or any firearms registered to him.  The man continued with his belligerent manner.  He made a threatening comment to one of the officers.  He was advised of an additional charge of Utter Threats to Cause Death.

The man began struggling with the officers.  He was handcuffed but continued arguing and refusing to walk.  He had to be carried out to the cruiser.  He is also being charged with Resisting Arrest.  After looking in the residence for safety concerns, a .22 calibre handgun was also found.  Two more charges were added. 

Due to his intoxicated condition and the comments he made to family, the man was eventually taken to hospital for assessment.  He is facing a total of six Criminal Code offences.      

Sarnia Police responded to two separate assaults on Tuesday April 16.  The first incident occurred in the area of John and Devine Streets just after 1 PM.  Police were contacted after a 20 year old man was punched in the face by a 22 year old acquaintance.  The 20 year old victim, who is from Sarnia, suffered a cut on under his eye.  An ambulance attended to treat the man.  The assailant, also from Sarnia, had left the area prior to police arrival.  A warrant is being requested for his arrest on charges of Assault Bodily Harm and Breach of Probation.

In the second assault, a 26 year old Sarnia woman, high on drugs, approached two 16 year old females in Centennial Park around 9 PM.  The victims, both from Sarnia, did not know this woman.  She was talking to herself and started starring at the pair for unknown reasons.  She suddenly dropped her purse, rolled up her sleeve and cocked back her fist.  She threw her punch, making contact with one of the girls.  She left the area when the one victim yelled for someone to call police. 

Police arrived in the area and one officer spoke to the two 16 year olds.  Another officer was in the area of the playground equipment when he spotted the accused who matched the description given by the victims.  He identified himself and the accused raised her hands in the air.  Then she started to run.  A short chase ensued but she was apprehended.  She struggled with the officers in front of witnesses.  She was eventually handcuffed but continued to yell, ramble illogically and cry. A search of her purse found 3 used syringes and one full one.  The drug of choice: methamphetamine.  The woman was held for bail, facing charges of two counts of Assault, Resist Arrest and Possession of methamphetamine.

On Friday, April 19, 2013, the Sarnia power and Sail Squadron will be conducting flare training at the Sarnia Yacht Club on Fort Street.  The training will be conducted between 7 and 9 PM.  The flares being used will be white in colour.

The man wanted on Tuesday’s assault in the area or John and Devine Streets is twenty-two year old Joseph William Ronald LUCAS.   A warrant for his arrest was issued yesterday.  He is wanted for Assault Cause Bodily Harm and Breach of Probation.  If you know the location of this individual, please call the Sarnia Police at 519-344-8861 or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Sarnia Police responded to 141 calls for service over this past weekend.  The calls include:

6   Breach of Bail Investigations

12 Disturb the Peace/Noise complaints

12 Domestic/Family disputes

10 Motor Vehicle Collision/Traffic complaints

9   Theft complaints

5   Trespass to Property/Unwanted Person complaints

The Vice Branch executed another Drug Warrant – details to follow.

Sarnia Police officers are presently searching the commercial area of London Road east of Murphy for a male who has gone missing.

 Arcade Joseph “Junior” COMEAU, age 41 was previously reported missing within the last week and was located in this area.

 Mr. COMEAU is a vulnerable adult who was out with family members in the 1500 block of London Road today. He became separated from them from that location at about 11:45 am this morning. Shortly thereafter he was seen at the McDonald’s restaurant on London Rd. at the Zeller’s Plaza, but left there on foot. His direction of travel is unknown.

 Mr. COMEAU is described as a white male,  175 cm in height (5’ 9”), and a heavy build. He is reported to be presently wearing a red ball cap, red jacket, and a black vest.

Anyone who sees Mr. COMEAU is requested to contact Sarnia Police immediately.

(30)

Arcade “Junior” COMEAU has been located as of 2:30 pm on April 20, 2013 with the assistance of the public. Mr. COMEAU is safe and sound. Sarnia Police would like to thank the citizens who were instrumental in locating him.

Sarnia Police responded to 128 calls for service since Friday at 5 PM.  The calls include:

3   Assault complaints

3   Bail/ Breach investigations

10 Domestic/Family Disputes

13 Noise Complaints

11 Motor Vehicle Collision/Traffic complaints

7   Trespass/Unwanted Persons

Two Sarnia men got arrested this weekend and both ended up being charged by Sarnia Police.

In the first instance, on Saturday April 20 around 9:30 AM, police responded to the 200 block of Queen Street regarding an unwanted male.  Police received information from property management that a male who had been trespassed from the property was there again and needed to be removed.  Police attended but the male had left.  A second call came in from the 200 block of North Brock Street, indicated the same man was pounding on the door of that residence and refusing to leave.

Police attended just after 10 AM and learned the man had locked himself in the garage.  Police went to the rear of the home and gained entry.  The 27 year old man was having a cigarette.  He was told to leave.  He refused.  Police took physical control of him, place him under arrest under the authority of the Trespass to Property Act and escorted him from the property.  He was searched and found to be in possession of a small amount of marihuana.  He was issued a Provincial Offence Notice and then released from custody around 10:30 AM.

On Sunday, April 21, around 6:10 PM, police were called to Brenchley Avenue regarding a man with a knife.  Police arrived but the 22 year old had already left the area on a bike.  Police learned that the man was high on drugs.   He was located around 6:30 PM in the area just south of London and Murphy Roads.

He was arrested and searched.  A tactical style knife was found in his pocket.  He was taken to headquarters to await a bail hearing.  He is charged with Weapons Dangerous, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and two counts of Breach of Probation.