Category: Atikokan

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Atikokan OPP Police Press Releases

Reginald Galbraith – Drunk Driving

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – A traffic complaint about a motorhome swerving on the road ended with the arrest of an impaired driver.

On September 2, 2024, at approximately 8:00 pm, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Atikokan responded to a report of a motorhome that was swerving all over the road. Officers located the vehicle on Highway 11 near Armis Lake and conducted a vehicle stop.

The responding officer determined that the driver had been consuming alcohol and conducted a roadside screening test. The driver failed the test and was arrested and transported to the Atikokan OPP detachment where additional breath testing was completed by demand.  

Reginald Galbraith, 72-years-old, from Thunder Bay is charged with one count of impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 mgs plus. The accused’s driver’s license was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for 7 days.

The accused was released by police and is scheduled to appear in the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice on October 24, 2024, to speak to the charge.

Fact about impaired driving, the offence of impaired operation doesn’t mean the vehicle or conveyance needs to be moving. In law, operation is presumed if a person is occupying the driver’s seat. The onus is on the accused to establish that they did not occupy that seat for the purpose of setting the conveyance in motion. Road safety is the shared responsibility of everyone. If you suspect an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.   

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Atikokan OPP Police Press Releases

Gregory KOZLOWSKI Was Arrested

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – A drug trafficking investigation in Atikokan resulted in an arrest and seizure of approximately 115 grams of cocaine.

On August 30, 2024, at approximately 2:30 pm, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Atikokan assisted by the Rainy River District OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), and the Northwest Region Canine Unit stopped a vehicle travelling from Thunder Bay to Atikokan.

As part of the investigation the driver was arrested, and the vehicle was searched incident to arrest. Officers located approximately 115 grams (4 ounces) of suspected Schedule I cocaine worth an estimated street value of $11,500. Police also seized the vehicle and cell phone as offence related property.

Gregory KOZLOWSKI, 30-years-old from Atikokan is charged with one count of possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking.

The accused has been held in custody and is scheduled to have a bail hearing on August 31, 2024.

If you have any information about the trafficking of illicit drugs, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit tips online at www.tipshelp.com.

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ATIKAMEKSHENG FIRST NATION Atikokan

Lance FUSZ – Drunk Driving

(ATIKAMEKSHENG FIRST NATION, ON) – A driver was charged with impaired driving after police located a parked vehicle.

On July 18, 2024, shortly after 3:30 p.m., members from the Nipissing West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a traffic complaint of a parked vehicle at a local business on Reserve Road, Atikameksheng First Nation.

The vehicle was located, and after conducting an investigation, the driver was arrested for impaired driving, then transported to the Greater Sudbury Police Service for further testing.

Lance FUSZ, 38 years-of-age, from Sudbury, was charged with:

  • Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
  • Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code- five counts
  • Failure to comply with release order
  • Driving while under suspension – three counts

The accused was held for Bail Court and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on July 25, 2024, in Sudbury.

The driver was issued a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The OPP would like to remind the public that if you see a possible impaired driver on our roadways, waterways, or trails, please “Make the Call,” and dial 9-1-1 as impaired driving never ends well, please plan a way to get home safely.

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Atikokan OPP Police Press Releases

Edward JESSOP – Drunk Driving

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – A public complaint that some obviously intoxicated people were trying to get a work truck out of the ditch resulted in charges for a Winnipeg resident.  

On July 19, 2024, at approximately 5:00 pm, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Atikokan received a public complaint about a work truck in the ditch near Mathieu Road east of Atikokan.

Atikokan OPP responded and identified an involved person thanks to assistance from the public. Investigation confirmed that alcohol was a factor in the incident. One person was arrested at the scene and transported to the Atikokan Detachment where alcohol breath testing was completed by demand.  

Edward JESSOP, 49-years-old, from Winnipeg MB is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug, and one count of impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 plus. The accused also received a 90-day drivers licence suspension, and the work truck was impounded for 7 days.

The accused was released by police and is scheduled to appear in the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice on August 22, 2024, to answer to the charges.

The OPP is committed to improving road safety through proactive enforcement, public awareness, and high-quality traffic incident investigations. You the public play an important role in helping to keep our roads safe. If you suspect someone is driving while impaired, call 911.  

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Atikokan OPP Police Press Releases

Ajaypal SINGH – Careless Driving

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – A public complaint about a dangerous truck driver resulted in several charges for a Thunder Bay resident. 

On June 21, 2024 at approximately 8:00 pm, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Atikokan received a public complaint about a tractor trailer unit (TTU) log truck that was driving dangerously on Highway 11 near the Rainy River District border with Thunder Bay. The TTU forced another vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway and was observed to be repeatedly crossing over the center line into the oncoming lane.

Atikokan OPP acquired video of the offence and began an investigation that was assisted by the Ministry of Transportation Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Branch and the Canada Border Services Agency Inland Immigration Enforcement Branch.

Ajaypal SINGH, 24-years-old from Thunder Bay is charged with the following offences under the Highway Traffic Act:

·        Careless driving

·        Falsify record or document (OReg 556/06)

·        Drive commercial motor vehicle without inspection

The defendant is summoned to appear in the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice on September 20, 2024 to answer to the charges.

It is every driver’s responsibility to share our roads safely. This is particularly important when large commercial vehicles are present. Commercial Motor Vehicle safety forms part of the OPP’s overall Provincial Traffic Safety Strategy. If you see driving behaviour that puts the public at risk call 911. You do make a difference.

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Atikokan OPP Police Press Releases

Justin Mosbeck Was Arrested

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – An afternoon vehicle stop to inspect maintenance resulted in the driver’s arrest after they failed a roadside alcohol test.  

On June 22, 2024, at approximately 2:30 pm, a member of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Atikokan Detachment stopped a vehicle in the Don Park area of Atikokan to inspect equipment after vehicle maintenance issues were observed. The officer detected the odour of alcohol and made a demand for a roadside test. The driver failed the roadside test and was arrested for the offence.  Additional testing was conducted at the Atikokan Detachment by a Qualified Technician.

Justin Mosbeck, 34-years-old, from Atikokan is charged criminally with one count each of impaired operation alcohol or drugs, and impaired operation blood alcohol concentration (80 plus). The accused also received a 90-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment. The accused is to appear in the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice on July 25, 2024, to answer to the charge.

The OPP remains committed to ensuring road safety through education and enforcement. Impaired driving is a public safety emergency. If you see an impaired driver, call 911. Road safety is the shared responsibility of all road users.

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Atikokan OPP Police Press Releases

Cocaine Bust – Five Arrested – Names Released

(ATIKOKAN, ON) – Five people were arrested following a search warrant execution at a residence in the Mercury Avenue East area of Atikokan.

On February 29, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., members of the Atikokan Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with Rainy River District Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Northwest Region Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Northwest Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Northwest Region Canine Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Mercury Avenue East in Atikokan.

Four people are facing a variety of charges as the investigation continues. Officers seized a number of suspected illicit substances including approximately 70 grams of cocaine, crack cocaine, over 130 narcotic pills, and approximately 15 grams of fentanyl. Officers also seized over $6,000 in cash and drug trafficking equipment. The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $25,000.

Joshua Ray VERAN, 35 years old of Atikokan; Meagan Elizabeth VERAN, 35 years old of Atikokan; Kimo Jhevani ALLEN, 23 years old of North York, and Kamal HOLDER, 33 years old of North York are all charged under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with:

  • Possession of a controlled substance for trafficking – Schedule I (cocaine)
  • Possession of a controlled substance for trafficking – Schedule I (fentanyl)
  • Possession of a controlled substance for trafficking – Schedule I (oxycodone)
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Joshua VERAN and Meagan VERAN also face an additional criminal charge of fail to comply with probation. 

All of the accused are being held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on March 1, 2024, for a bail hearing.