North Bay Police Chief Paul Cook sends clear message to people trafficking narcotics to move on at a press conference Thursday morning.
After an intensive and lengthy investigation North Bay Police were successful in arresting a number of individuals Wednesday in relation to a series of violent attacks, drug crimes and an attempted murder.
“I think the investigation that culminated with the arrest warrants yesterday is a testament to the efforts of the members of our criminal investigations section and the good work that they do in keeping this community safe,” states Police Chief Paul Cook.
“I think we’re sending out a very clear message to people trafficking narcotics in our community, that it’s time to move on and find a different place to conduct business.”
The NBPD say the attacks that occurred over the last nine months were all related; including an incident where a victim was beaten with a baseball bat, struck with a hammer and stabbed a number of times and left at the end of Thelma Avenue on March 8. The victim survived his injuries, but would not co-operate with police for quite some time.
“All of these violent offences are associated with drug trafficking in the city of North Bay and we’re very pleased that we’re able to lock up a number of accused,” states Cook.
“Initially we did have some difficulties in relation to victims coming forth and assisting us with our investigation, but there was a change of heart and eventually we did get the co-operation that we needed to carry on an investigation.”
Cook says it is very challenging to conduct an investigation such as this one when victims don’t co-operate, but says he understands that the victims are afraid to come forward because in many cases they’re involved in that sub-culture themselves.
“So there’s a fear of reprisals, certainly when you get people that are going around beating people with baseball bats, stabbing them and shooting them. There’s good reason for that kind of fear.”
The North Bay Police Service members worked with the Drug Enforcement Unit and Technical Services Branch of the Ontario Provincial Police to secure the warrants and Cook says a dozen North Bay officers, from street patrol to the tactical team, executed the take down.
“We called upon the Ontario Provincial Police to assist us in relation to some surveillance. It’s been an ongoing joint forces initiative and again early yesterday morning, our officers executed a number of search warrants and a number of arrest warrants and the appropriate charges have been laid, and again send that message out that this type of behaviour within our community won’t be tolerated.”
Charged with attempted murder are:
40 year-old Lara Gannon of McIntyre Street. She is to appear in court this morning at 10:00a.m.
Warrants of arrest for attempted murder have been issued for:
20 year-old Daniel Vermont, currently in custody in Sudbury in an unrelated matter, 29 year-old Fabian Vermont and 27 year-old Steven Carty, both from Southern Ontario.
The following persons are charged in connection with the October 9, 2006 home invasion on Morin Avenue where a baton similar to a police asp was utilised:
32 year-old Darrin Bruneau of Birchs Road. He is charged with extortion, two counts and one count of break and enter. He was arrested on December 13, 2006 and has been remanded to December 18, 2006.
22 year-old Derek Davis of New Liskard is charged with extortion, two counts and break and enter. He is to appear in court this morning.
32 year-old Darrin Bruneau of Birchs Road was also charged with attempted murder and trafficking in relation to the October 15, 2006 occurrence on Cassells Street, where the same victim as in the March 8, 2006 occurrence had been shot. He appeared in court yesterday and has been remanded to December 18, 2006.
Police also uncovered a stash of drugs consisting of approximately 80 grams of cocaine, valued at $8,000, cannabis and cannabis resin as well as an amount of prescription drugs at Bruneau’s Birchs Road residence.
28 year-old Julie Wright of Birchs Road is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking; two counts possession of a controlled substance; four counts and possession of stolen property. She will appear in court on January 31, 2006.
