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Massey historic bell thieves also drug dealers, say OPP

The latest historic bell to be stolen in Northern Ontario was recovered two days after it was taken thanks to the OPP stopping a ‘suspicious vehicle’
Sudbury.com Staff

A traffic stop of a “suspicious vehicle” by the OPP Oct. 31 led to multiple charges against its occupants and the recovery of a historic bell that had been stolen from S. Geiger Public School in Massey two days earlier.

The Rainbow District School Board said when staff arrived at school Oct. 29 and noticed the bell missing, they contacted the OPP to investigate.

The bell had been relocated to S. Geiger Public School in 1999 when Massey Public School closed. The date on the plaque for the bell is 1894-1951.

It has historical significance to the school and the community, said the school board statement.

This is just one of several bells to be stolen in the northeast recently. 

In September, a large bell went missing from the former Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in Goulais. 

A 400-pound church bell was also stolen from St. Christopher Catholic Church in the Greater Sudbury community of Whitefish in 2023, with the chair of the parish council figuring the thieves were hoping to cash in on the scrap value.

On Oct. 31, the Manitoulin OPP conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle, which had two men inside.  Further investigation led to officers locating the stolen historic bell, as well as several other items suspected to be stolen, said a press release.

Additionally, police seized more than 35 grams of suspected Fentanyl (estimated street valued of $14,000), more than 10 grams of suspected cocaine (estimated street value of $1,000), an imitation firearm, weapons, break and enter tools and Canadian currency.

The driver, David Eccleston, 38, from Massey is charged with:

  • Possession of break-in instruments
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 - two counts
  • Failure to comply with probation order - two counts
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
  • Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin)
  • Use plate not authorized for vehicle
  • Driving while under suspension
  • Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit

The passenger, Joseph Demers, 40, from Espanola man, is charged with:

  • Possession of break-in instruments
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 - two counts
  • Mischief over $5,000
  • Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid (other than heroin)

Both accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Sudbury Oct. 31, and were remanded into custody.

The Manitoulin OPP is looking to identify the owners of the recovered stolen property. If you have experienced a theft, reach out to the Manitoulin OPP at 1-888-310-1122 with a description of your stolen item.