Category: Bruce Mines

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Bruce Mines OPP Police Press Releases

Criminals Steal/Hoarding Explosives

(BRUCE MINES, ON) – On July 14, 2025, the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a theft call at a business on Highway 17.

Police are investigating a theft of explosives from Ontario Trap Rock Limited, located at 9630 Highway 17, in Bruce Mines. There is currently no immediate risk to public safety. The OPP is looking for any information relating to the incident.  

Any person with information regarding the theft should immediately contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at: www.saultcrimestoppers.com

You may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000. 

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Bruce Mines OPP Police Press Releases

Lauren COTE – Mischief

(BRUCE MINES, ON)- The East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police receive a report of a suspicious person and make an arrest.

On Friday, April 11, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m., police responded to a report of a suspicious person in a driveway on Waltonen Road in the Town of Bruce Mines. While officers were en route, the individual was observed walking around the property and had spray-painting graffiti on the complainant’s garage, boat, and outbuildings.

The individual had left the scene prior to police arrival and was later located in the Town of Thessalon, where they were subsequently arrested.

Lauren COTE, 38 years-of-age from Thessalon was charged with: Mischief over $5000.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on May 20, 2025.

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Bruce Mines OPP Police Press Releases

Ditched Vehicle – Mark ANDERSON Arrested

(BRUCE MINES, ON)- While on patrol the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a pickup truck in a ditch.

On March 29, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., members from the OPP’s Sault Ste. Marie Highway Safety Division were patrolling Highway 17 near Garden Bay Road in the Town of Bruce Mines when they observed a blue pickup truck in the westbound ditch with the driver still inside.

The driver exited the vehicle and approached police. During their conversation, police determined that the driver had consumed alcohol. As a result, the driver was arrested and transported to the East Algoma OPP detachment in Thessalon for further testing.

Mark ANDERSON, 57 years-of-age from Windsor was charged with:

  • Operation while impaired – 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 May 1, 2025.

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

The OPP wants to remind the public that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe while driving. If you suspect an impaired driver on our roads, waterways or trails, don’t hesitate to “MAKE THE CALL” and dial 911. Your phone call could save someone’s life.

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Bruce Mines OPP Police Press Releases

One Dead: Brinks Canada & Michael MATTHEWS Charged

(BRUCE MINES)- On November 26, 2024, at approximately 6:00 a.m., the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a fatal motor vehicle collision involving four vehicles on Highway 17 east of the Town of Bruce Mines.  A 57-year-old from the town of Thessalon was pronounced deceased at the scene.

As a result of the investigation, BRINKS CANADA LIMITED driver Michael MATTHEWS, 64 years-of-age from Prince Township was charged with:

  • Careless driving cause death
  • Operate vehicle-fail to display inspection sticker or proof
  • Fail to maintain daily log
  • Fail to surrender completed daily Inspection Report

BRINKS CANADA LIMITED, from Sudbury was charged with:

  • Permit person to drive commercial motor vehicle not in accordance with regulations
  • Permit operation of vehicle-fail to display inspection sticker or proof
  • Fail to ensure daily inspection is conducted properly

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Provincial Offences in Sault Ste Marie on March 19, 2025.

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Bruce Mines OPP Police Press Releases

3 Arrested After Firearm Incident

(BRUCE MINES)- A firearm was pointed at a driver attempting to exit a gas station parking lot.

On November 21, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a weapons call that occurred at a gas station parking lot in the Town of Bruce Mines.

The investigation revealed that the complainant was parked beside the suspect vehicle, which was occupied by a driver and two passengers. Both vehicles reversed simultaneously, during which a rear passenger in the suspect vehicle made an obscene gesture toward the complainant. The passenger then produced a handgun, inserted a magazine, and pointed the weapon at the complainant.

The suspect vehicle fled westbound on Highway 17. With assistance from the Sault Ste. Marie OPP detachment, the OPP Canine Unit and Batchewana First Nation Police Service, police located the vehicle on Highway 17, east of Sault Ste. Marie. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested the three occupants. A subsequent search revealed a firearm hidden under the hood of the vehicle, along with a magazine and multiple rounds of ammunition.

Further investigation resulted in the seizure of various drugs from the vehicle. These included over seven grams of suspected cocaine, more than seven suspected fentanyl pills, over seven suspected Percocet pills, over 25 suspected clonazepam tablets, and over 280 suspected quetiapine pills. The estimated street value of the seized substances exceeds $2,600.

Joseph DAY, 35 years-of-age from Blind River was charged with:

  • Breach of firearm regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
  • Pointing a firearm
  • Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
  • Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
  • Possession of prohibited weapon or restricted firearm with ammo
  • Possession of firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
  • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
  • 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) – two counts
  • Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Fail to comply with probation order – two counts

Keegan DAY, 33 years-of-age from Blind River was charged with:

  • Breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
  • Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
  • Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
  • Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
  • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
  • Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
  • Possession of a schedule I substance-opioid (other than heroin)
  • Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of a schedule I substance-other drugs
  • Failure to comply with undertaking

Lindsay RIETZE, 28 years-of-age from Blind River was charged with:

  • Breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
  • Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
  • Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
  • Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered 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) – two counts
  • Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
  • Fail to surrender insurance card
  • Colour coating obscuring interior

The three accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste Marie on November 22, 2024, and were remanded into custody.

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Bruce Mines OPP Police Press Releases

Samual GODDA – Drunk Driving, Etc.

(BRUCE MINES, ON)- Driver hits a hydro pole and leaves the scene.

On August 17, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to motor vehicle collision involving a silver SUV that struck a utility pole on Cunningham Street in the Town of Bruce Mines.

The SUV left the scene with the air bags deployed and hanging out the windows. The vehicle continued westbound on Highway 17 to the town of Desbarats. Police located the vehicle at Johnson Community Centre and arrested the driver. 

As a result, Samual GODDA, 27 years-of-age from London was charged with:

  • Operation while impaired- alcohol
  • Operation while impaired-alcohol concentration (80 plus)
  • Dangerous operation
  • Drive motor vehicle-no licence
  • Fail to report accident
  • Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available

The accused is schedule to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Elliot Lake on October 3, 2024.

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Bruce Mines

Racer BRASON Was Arrested

(BRUCE MINES, ON)- Police received a traffic complaint of a three-wheeler with three people on it driving erratically on Crawford Street.

On June 7, 2024, shortly after 11:30 p.m., members from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrolled the area for the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in the Town of Bruce Mines.

Police observed the three-wheeler ATV with a driver and two passengers backing out of a local restaurant parking lot and initiated a traffic stop. While speaking to the driver police determined alcohol had been consumed and the driver was arrested. The accused was then transported to Blind River detachment for further testing.

As a result, Racer BRASON, 18 years-of-age from Richards Landing was charged with:

  • Operation while impaired-alcohol and drugs
  • Operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on July 4, 2024.

The driver was issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension.

If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911 and don’t hesitate to “MAKE THE CALL”.