OPP hand out a few alcohol and drug related charges

OPP News Release

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For the first part of November, OPP officers in the North Bay detachment cluster have been busy with alcohol related and drug related charges as well as several motor vehicle collisions.

On Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Highway 11 Bypass in the city of North Bay, OPP officers were conducting RIDE when the driver of a motor vehicle was found to be unlicensed. Further investigation resulted in Matthew WESSON , 18 years old of North Bay, facing charges of Take Motor Vehicle without Consent s. 335(1) CC; Possession Schedule II Cannabis Marihuana - under 30grams s. 4(1) CDSA and Drive motor vehicle - no licence s. 32(1) HTA. WESSON is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on December 8th, 2009.

On that same morning shortly before 3:00 a.m. on Highway 11 Bypass in the city of North Bay, OPP officers were conducting RIDE when a motor vehicle drove by. The vehicle was subsequently stopped a few hundred yards away. The driver, Randy ETHIER , 40 years old of North Bay, was charged with Impaired Operation s. 253(1) (a) CC; Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content s. 253(1) (b) CC, and Fail to Comply – Undertaking, s. 145(5.1) CC. ETHIER was held for Bail Hearing to which he was released on a Recognizance of Bail. He is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on November 24th, 2009.

On Sunday, November 8th, 2009, at 1:30 a.m., a Highway Safety Division OPP officer stopped a motor vehicle while conducting RIDE on Highway 11 in the city of North Bay. As a result, driver, Joey Jack VARCOE , 30 years old of Sundridge, Ontario was charged with Impaired Operation s. 253(1) (a) CC; Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content s. 253(1) (b) CC; Class G2 licence holder - B.A.C. above zero s. 6(1)(1) HTA and with Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor s. 32(1) LLA. VARCOE is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on January 5th, 2010.

On Tuesday, November 10th, 2009, Powassan OPP officer and Conservation Officers of the Ministry of Natural Resources while engaged in a separate investigation on Power Plant Road in Nipissing Township, observed an All Terrain Vehicle and spoke with the driver. As a result, Linus Ambrose OCONNOR , 64 years old of Nipissing Township was charged with Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content s. 253(1) (b) CC. OCONNOR is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on December 15th, 2009.

On Friday, November 13th, 2009, at approximately 8:30 p.m., North Bay OPP officers were conducting RIDE on Highway 17 in the city of North Bay. A stop resulted in both occupants facing charges of Possession Schedule II – Cannabis Marijuana over 30 gram s. 4(1) CDSA. Both Denis CHARBONNEAU and Allan HENSEL , 22 years old of Kanata, Ontario are scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on January 19th, 2010.

Later that same evening while conducting RIDE another traffic stop resulted in driver, Christopher JONES being charged with Possession Schedule II – Cannabis Marijuana over 30 gram s. 4(1) CDSA. JONES, 28 years old of Hanmer, Ontario is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on January 19th, 2010.

On Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. on Highway 17 in Commanda Township, yet another traffic stop resulted in drug charges for another driver. Normand THEBERGE , 22 years old of Alberta was charged with Possession Schedule II – Cannabis Marijuana over 30 gram s. 4(1) CDSA. THEBERGE is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on January 19th, 2010.

On November 14th, 2009 shortly after 6:00 p.m., North Bay OPP officers were conducting RIDE on Rutherglen Line in Bonfield Township when an ATV failed to stop for them. The ATV proceeded into a private driveway. The driver, James BOLDUC , 66 years old of Ruther glen, was charged with Impaired Operation s. 253(1) (a) CC; Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content s. 253(1) (b) CC. As well, BOLDUC was also charged under the Highway Traffic Act with the following – Disobey officer directing traffic s. 143(1); Off Road Vehicle - no number plate Reg 316 16(1); Drive Off Road Vehicle - no driver's licence Reg 316 18; and Drive Off Road Vehicle - no insurance Reg 316 17. BOLDUC is scheduled to appear for court in North Bay on December 15th, 2009.

Overall, since Sunday, November 1st to Sunday, November 15th, 2009, North Bay detachment cluster and members of the Highway Safety Division issued seven 3-day suspensions, nine other CDSA charges and investigated a total of 42 motor vehicle collisions, 24 of which involved wildlife.

“Police can’t be everywhere but they can be anywhere!”
Drive Responsibly

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