Category: Blind River

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Northeast Region Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with the assistance from members of the East Algoma OPP and the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Canine Unit, executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant at a residence on Hamilton Avenue in the Town of Blind River.

Police seized over 400 grams of suspected cocaine and under 30 suspected Percocet pills with an approximate street value of $63,000, approximately $1600 in Canadian currency, drug paraphernalia, a prohibited knife and nine firearms.

Michael EVERITT, 68-year-old from Blind River was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin)
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000-in Canada
• Breach of Firearms Regulation-store firearm or restricted weapon
• Unauthorized possession of firearm-nine counts
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm-nine counts
• Possession of prohibited device or ammunition
• Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on April 2, 2026.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) advised students and staff of École St. Joseph in Blind River that it was closed due an ongoing investigation.

On this date Monday January 26, 2026, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the OPP, Algoma Paramedic Services and the OPP’s Forensic Identification Services Unit responded to a report of a sudden death on the school’s property.   

A 41-year-old from Blind River was located deceased at that location. The East Algoma Crime Unit is continuing the investigation in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place at a later date.

At this point in the investigation, foul play is not suspect and there is no threat to public safety.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – The East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) makes arrest after a disturbance at local bar.

On Friday, January 16, 2026, at approximately 3:20 a.m., police responded to a reported disturbance at a local bar on Woodward Avenue in the Town of Blind River.

Approximately fifteen minutes prior to police being contacted, a customer who had been barred from the establishment was observed pounding on the bar’s windows and demanding entry. The individual threatened to harm the bartender and damage the complainant’s pickup truck. The individual then left prior to police arrival.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that appeared to be avoiding police on Woodward Avenue. The driver was identified as the same individual who had left the bar prior to police arrival four days earlier.

As result, Justin CAMPEAU, 33 years old from Blind River was arrested and charged with:

• Uttering threats – damage property
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – cocaine

The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Blind River on January 20, 2026.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – A person was charged after police were called to a vehicle in the ditch on Birch Street.

On January 4, 2026, at approximately 7:20 a.m. the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) attended Birch Street to find a beige pickup truck in the ditch still running and the driver passed out at the wheel. Police woke him up and detected a strong odour of alcoholic beverage from his breath, along with obvious signs of impairment. He was subsequently arrested and the pickup truck was towed and impounded.  

Aaron Leo OWL, 35-years-old, from Blind River was charged with:

• Operation while impaired by alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on March 5, 2026.

The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Report impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested a person after a traffic stop on Longview Avenue.

On December 11, 2025, at approximately 3:45 a.m., police stopped a grey 4-door Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to check the status of a temporary plate. While speaking to the driver, open alcohol could be seen inside. After searching the vehicle, police located and seized suspected crushed up Adderall pills, crack pipe, scale, dime baggies, open alcoholic beverages, a dagger, and bear spray. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged.

Steven TOMEI, 48-years-old, of Blind River was charged with:

·      Possession of a Schedule III substance

·      Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

·      Drive motor vehicle with liquor readily available

·      Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit

·      Class G1 licence holder – carry front-seat passenger

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on January 8, 2026.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – On December 5, 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m. the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call of a possible impaired driver in the ditch on Highway 17 near Frammpet Drive.

Police observed a badly damaged black pickup truck in the west bound ditch, facing east. Additionally, there were numerous beer cans observed on the highway and beside the truck. Algoma Paramedic Services attended to assess the driver and transport to hospital. Once at the hospital, the driver was very uncooperative with hospital staff and police. Subsequently, the driver was arrested and the pickup truck was towed and impounded.  

Madysen HOWARTH, 27-years-old, from Thunder Bay was charged with – Failure or refusal to comply with demand.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on January 8, 2026.

The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Report impaired drivers. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – On November 24, 2025, the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a serious Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC) on Causley Street (Highway 17) in Blind River.

At approximately 5:15 p.m. police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a collision involving an eastbound Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) and cyclist. The cyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene and the CMV operator failed to stop, continuing eastbound on Highway 17. Police located the CMV a short time later in Algoma Mills and the driver was subsequently arrested and vehicle towed.

A-Bryan CONNELL, 63-years-old, from Plummer Additional Township, was charged with:

· Fail to stop at accident resulting in death

· Dangerous operation causing death

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Blind River on November 25, 2025.

The OPP’s Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) team and Technical Collison Investigator (TCI) attended, and the highway was closed for a considerable amount of time to ensure a proper, thorough, and safe investigation.

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – Prohibited driver refuses to provide breath sample.

On Wednesday, November 6, 2025, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a black pickup truck travelling on North Street in the Town of Blind River. The vehicle then turned onto Causley Street, where the driver cut off another motorist.

Police followed the pickup truck onto Lakeside Avenue, where they observed it slowly back into a driveway before the driver exited the vehicle. During the interaction, officers determined the driver had consumed alcohol and subsequently placed the individual under arrest.

The driver was transported to the Blind River detachment, where they refused to provide a breath sample.

Tyler BENNETT, 34 years-old from Blind River was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Failure or refusal to comply with demand
• Operation while prohibited under the criminal code

The accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Blind River on November 6, 2025.

The driver was issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension, and the involved vehicle was impounded for 7days.

The OPP is committed to keeping roads safe from impaired drivers, who continue to pose a serious risk on Ontario highways.