Cyclist in critical condition following morning collision
North Bay Police are investigating a collision that occurred at 5:30 a.m. this morning. A male cyclist travelling downhill on Morin Street was attempting to go through the intersection at High Street, when he struck the passenger side of a westbound vehicle.
The cyclist was transported to hospital and is currently in critical condition. The male driver of the vehicle did not suffer any injuries.
The investigation continues.
Man faces charges for internet child exploitation and sexual assault
On Wednesday, November 5, the North Bay Police Service arrested and charged John Chapados, age 33 of North Bay, for a variety of internet child exploitation offences and child sexual assaults. It is alleged that Chapados lured young girls on the internet for sexual purposes, sexually assaulted them and engaged in child prostitution. The accused used an alias of Jake Burton.
Child abuse investigators of the Investigative Support Section of the North Bay Police Service have conducted a lengthy investigation.
As a result, police charged Chapados with the following 188 criminal charges:
17 counts of Luring a Child Under the Age of 18;
19 counts of Luring a Child Under the Age of 16;
10 counts of Luring a Child Under the Age of 14;
46 counts of Procuring Juvenile Prostitution;
46 counts of Make Child Pornography;
six counts of Possessing Child Pornography;
three counts of Sexual Interference;
26 counts of Invitation to Sexual Touching; and
15 counts of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance.
North Bay Police began the investigation in 2013, which resulted in a number of charges at that time, as reported in November 2013.
Further investigation has identified five additional victims that it is alleged were lured on the internet and subsequently sexually assaulted by Chapados. Forty-one additional young victims have been identified as having received electronic internet communication for sexual purposes during a period from June to October of 2013. The victims are all female, between the ages of 11-17 years, and from North Bay and area.
Chapados was held in custody for a bail hearing today. The North Bay Police Service thanks the Ontario Provincial Police E-Crimes Unit for its assistance with this investigation. The investigation continues.
The North Bay Police Service reminds all parents and guardians to be vigilant with their children’s internet usage and communications, including the use of any social networking sites and gaming systems with online capabilities currently popular with youth. Parents and guardians are encouraged to be familiar with the various social networking systems and regularly monitor their children’s online activities.
Any requests for photographs from unknown persons should be considered suspicious and any communications with sexual content involving children should be discontinued immediately and reported to police. Anyone with additional information in relation to internet communication between children and John Chapados or Jake Burton is requested to contact the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555.
Alert regarding Halloween treats
The North Bay Police Service is investigating two separate incidents regarding treats collected by trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.
At approximately 7:04 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, a complainant contacted police regarding a chocolate bar collected by a child on Halloween night. After opening it, in what appeared to be a properly sealed package, the child discovered that it had a slit on its side and it was covered in a white powder. The complainant reports that the child went trick-or-treating on Wickstead Avenue, Sylvan Crescent, Michener Drive, Glen Rouge Drive, Madelena Drive, Circle Lake Road, Ferguson Street, Victoria Street and Princess Street.
At approximately 8:54 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, a complainant contacted police regarding a chocolate bar collected on Aberdeen Street at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Halloween night. After opening the wrapper, which appeared to be sealed, the complainant noticed that a razor blade was inside the bar.
The investigation continues.
Parents are reminded to inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them. If a treat appears to have been rewrapped or tampered with, please report the incident to the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555.
Anyone with information about the above incidents is asked to contact police at 705-497-5555. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, contact Near North Crime Stoppers, by telephone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by texting the word “Nipper” plus tip information to CRIMES (274637), or online at nearnorthcrimestoppers.com.
