OPP in Bruce Mines have arrested three people from Blind River after a gun was pointed at a driver trying to leave a gas station parking lot.
East Algoma OPP responded to a weapons call on November 21 at 4:30 p.m.
Police say the complainant was parked beside another vehicle, which was occupied by a driver and two passengers.
"Both vehicles reversed simultaneously, during which a rear passenger in the suspect vehicle made an obscene gesture toward the complainant. The passenger then produced a handgun, inserted a magazine, and pointed the weapon at the complainant," says Constable Bev Gauthier in an OPP release.
The suspect vehicle fled westbound on Highway 17 but with help from the Canine Unit and Batchewana First Nation Police, the vehicle was stopped on Highway 17, east of Sault Ste. Marie. The three occupants were arrested and a search found a firearm hidden under the hood of the vehicle, along with a magazine and multiple rounds of ammunition.
Further investigation resulted in the seizure of various drugs from the vehicle. These included over seven grams of cocaine, Fentanyl pills, Percocet pills, clonazepam tablets, and over 280 quetiapine pills. The estimated street value of the seized substances exceeds $2,600.
Joseph Day, 35, is charged with:
- Breach of firearm regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
- Pointing a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- An occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
- Possession of prohibited weapon or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Two counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Two counts of failing to comply with probation order
Keegan Day, 33, is charged with:
- Breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- An occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance-opioid
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of a schedule I substance-other drugs
- Failure to comply with an undertaking
Lindsay Rietze, 28, is charged with:
- Breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- An occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Two counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Drive a vehicle with cannabis readily available
- Fail to surrender insurance card
- Colour coating obscuring the interior
The three accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on November 22 and were remanded into custody.
