Residential Break and Enter in Geraldton :2 Youths Charged
GERALDTON, ON – June 8, 2015 the Greenstone Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a residential break and enter in progress in the community of Geraldton. Police arrived on scene within moments and were able to arrest one assailant at the scene. After a brief foot pursuit a second assailant was also arrested a short distance from the scene. In addition to breaking into the home, the investigation revealed that the two accused parties were in possession of various tools used for breaking into the residence as well as ammunition and an imitation firearm.
As a result of the investigation, a 14 year old male was charged with the following offences against the Criminal Code:
- Using a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence – s. 351(2)
- Breaking and entering a dwelling house and committing an indictable offence therein – s. 348(1)
- Breaking and entering a dwelling house and stealing a firearm – s. 98(1)(b)
- Possession of break and enter instruments – s. 351(1)
- Resisting a Peace Officer – s. 129(a)
- Using an imitation firearm during flight – s. 85(2)(c)
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition obtained by crime – s. 96(a)
A 12 year old female has also been charged with the following offences against the Criminal Code:
- Using a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence – s. 351(2)
- Breaking and entering a dwelling house and committing an indictable offence therein – s. 348(1)
- Possession of break and enter instruments – s. 351(1)
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose – s. 88
- Breaking and entering a dwelling house and sealing a firearm – s. 98(1)(b)
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition obtained by crime – s. 96(a)
Pursuant to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police are not able to reveal the identity of the two youths. They were both held in police custody pending a bail hearing and were remanded into custody by a Justice of the Peace.
This investigation is still ongoing. If you have any information that could assist police, please contact the OPP Provincial Communications Centre at 1-888-310-1122. Or, if you would like to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit www.tbdcs.ca.
REMINDER REGARDING IMITATION FIREARMS
The Greenstone OPP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that in certain circumstances the use of an imitation firearm can carry the same criminal consequences as the use of an actual firearm. An air-soft gun, a pellet gun or even a toy that resembles a firearm can constitute an “imitation firearm” within the meaning of the criminal code. They also pose a significant risk to public and police safety, as they are often nearly indistinguishable from an actual firearm and can greatly change the dynamic of calls to the police.
