ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE NEWS RELEASE**

On March 25, 2020, at approximately 9:30 a.m., members of the James Bay Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) located a stolen motor vehicle on Highway 11 south of the Town of Cochrane.  

When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the suspects fled in the passenger vehicle, towards the Town of Cochrane. Officers then located the motor vehicle on Second Avenue and observed four suspects run from the vehicle. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, one was arrested shortly thereafter and the fourth suspect remains at large. 

Within the undamaged vehicle, police located and seized explosives. 

  Vincent BELAIR, 33-year-olds, from Timmins, Ontario, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Theft of Motor Vehicle contrary to section 333.1 of the Criminal Code (CC),
  • Flight From Peace Officer contrary to section 320.17 CC,
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) CC,
  • Two counts of Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order contrary to section 117.01(1) CC,
  • Three counts of Explosives – Making or Possessing for Unlawful Purpose contrary to section 82(1) CC,
  • Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs contrary to section 320.14(1)(a) CC,
  • Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand contrary to section 320.15(1) CC,
  • Driving While Under Suspension contrary to section 53 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), and
  • Possession of Over 30 grams of Dried Cannabis in a Public Place contrary to section 8(1)(a) Cannabis Act (CA).

 

Edgar TURGEON, 31-years-old, from Timmins, Ontario, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) CC,
  • Three counts of Explosives – Making or Possessing for Unlawful Purpose contrary to section 82(1) CC,
  • Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order contrary to section 117.01(1) CC, and
  • Possession of Over 30 grams of Dried Cannabis in a Public Place contrary to section 8(1)(a) Cannabis Act (CA).

 

Morgan TOOKATE, 21-years-old, from Timmins, Ontario, has been charged with the following offences:

  •  Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) CC,
  • Three counts of Explosives – Making or Possessing for Unlawful Purpose contrary to section 82(1) CC,
  • Possession of Over 30 grams of Dried Cannabis in a Public Place contrary to section 8(1)(a) Cannabis Act (CA).

 

All accused persons were released and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane on June 9, 2020, to answer to the charges.  

If anyone has any information regarding this occurrence, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.p3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

Filed under: Local News