On March 17, shortly after 8 a.m., members from the East Algoma Detachment of the OPP responded to a theft of catalytic converters from two businesses on Highway 17 in the Village of Spragge.
A suspicious black car and a person walking along the Highway were seen in the area.
An investigation determined the thieves cut off two catalytic converters from a business on the south side of Highway 17 and an attempt was made to cut off another catalytic converter from a vehicle at a car dealership on the north side of the Highway 17.
Shortly after 2:p.m., police located the suspect vehicle in the Town of Thessalon and a traffic stop was initiated on Main Street. Two catalytic converters with fresh cut marks were in the vehicle.
As a result, the passenger Michael Allen, 39, of no fixed address is charged with:
- Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Two counts of theft under $5,000 from a motor vehicle
- Two counts of mischief under $5,000
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance-cocaine
The driver Katie Mattaini, 35, from Sault Ste Marie is charged with:
- Two counts of possession property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Two counts of theft under $5,000 from a motor vehicle
- Two counts of mischief under $5,000
- Obstruct a peace officer
- Driving while under suspension
- Fail to surrender an insurance card
- Having care and control of a motor vehicle with an unsealed container of liquor
Both appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Video Bail in Blind River on March 18, and were remanded into custody.
