Category: North Bay

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North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

Troy MOREAU Was Arrested Again

(NORTH BAY, ON) – Driver failed to stop for police and then fled on foot. 

On July 2, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m. the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a driving complaint on highway 11 Powassan. Upon locating the subject vehicle a short time later in Mattawa, the driver failed to stop for police and then fled on foot. Police were able to safely apprehend the driver who resisted arrest and was not co-operative with police.

The accused, Troy MOREAU, 53 years-of-age of Mattawa was charged with:

  • Fail to stop for police
  • Flight from peace officer
  • Resist Peace Officer
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in North Bay on July 3, 2024.

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North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

Bradley WHITE Was Arrested

(NORTH BAY, ON) – Police initiate a tandem traffic stop and safely apprehended the driver.

On June 29, 2024, shortly before 2:00 a.m., the North Bay OPP received a call reporting a southbound motorist on highway 11 that had taken a vehicle without consent of the owner.

Approximately half hour later police located the subject vehicle on highway 11 and safely conducted a tandem traffic stop.

Police arrested the driver and further investigation resulted in several charges.

The driver, Bradley WHITE, 31-years-of-age, of London, was charged with:

  • Take motor vehicle without consent
  • Fail to comply with probation order
  • BAC above zero – novice driver
  • Care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of alcohol
  • Driving while under suspension
  • Operation while prohibited

The accused is scheduled to appear at the North Bay Ontario Court on July 16, 2024.

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North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

Austin RIGGS Was Arrested

(NORTH BAY, ON) – One person has been arrested and charged with multiple offences after fleeing from police.

On July 1, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m. the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a white car travelling at a high rate of speed on Highway 11 in Callander. It was travelling approximately 47 km/h over the posted limit. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled onto Peever Line.  

A short time later, Almaguin OPP were called to a single motor vehicle collision located on Forestry Road in Laurier Township. After investigation, it was determined this was the same vehicle that had fled from police earlier. As a result, the driver was arrested and vehicle towed.    

Austin RIGGS 23-years-old of Aurora, has been charged with:

  • Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
  • Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
  • Fail to stop for police
  • Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed
  • Class G1 licence holder- unaccompanied by qualified driver
  • Class G1 licence holder – carry front seat passenger
  • Novice driver – B.A.C. above zero

The accused was issued a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. They are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on July 16, 2024.

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North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

Joel Viau Was Arrested Again

(NORTH BAY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged one person from Powassan with multiple criminal offences.

On August 9, 2023, the North Bay Detachment OPP began an investigation regarding the theft of commercial grade rental equipment from various rental companies in Southern Ontario. The heavy equipment was rented, the Global Positioning Transmitters (GPS) were removed, and the products were re-sold by the accused. The reported loss was valued at $94,000 dollars.

On June 18, 2024, members of the North Bay Detachment OPP Criminal Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Main Street in Powassan in relation to the fraud investigation. During the search, officers located a large quantity of illicit drugs, including substances suspected to be fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin (mushrooms) and oxycodone, with a total estimated street value of $20,000. Officers also seized over $3300.00 in Canadian currency.

As a result of the investigation, Joel Viau, 47 years-of-age from Powassan, was charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Fraud Over $5000
  • Participation in criminal organization
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Methamphetamine
  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
  • Breach of conditional sentence order

The accused was held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice.

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North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

Khizar ALI Was Arrested

(NORTH BAY, ON) – Police arrested and charged one person with several drug related offences in North Bay.

On April 29, 2024, members of the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested a person leaving a residence on 5th Avenue West in the City of North Bay. Once the person was arrested a Controlled Drug and Substance Act (CDSA) search warrant was executed. 

The search resulted in the seizure of drug paraphernalia, Canadian currency, digital scale, and a money counter. Police also seized drugs suspected to be fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone.

As a result of the investigation Khizar ALI, a 37-year-old from Bowmanville was arrested

and charged with the following:

·        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 I substance for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine

·        Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – in Canada

·        Produce a Schedule I substance – opioid (other than heroin)

·        Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – other drugs

The accused was held for bail and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of

Justice in North Bay on May 2, 2024.

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North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

Nigel EKOMIAK Arrested For Drunk Driving

(NORTH BAY, ON) – One person was arrested and charged in North Bay after a traffic stop. 

On February 14, 2024, just after 12:00 a.m., an officer from the North Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a vehicle on Fisher Street in the City of North Bay.  

Upon speaking to the driver, it was determined that they had consumed an alcoholic beverage. The driver was issued a Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) demand.

The driver was arrested and transported to the North Bay Detachment of the OPP for further testing.

As a result of the investigation Nigel EKOMIAK a 31-year-old person from Copper Cliff was charged for the following:

·      Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

·      Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

·      Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available

The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay March 12, 2024.

The accused was also issued a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

North Bay OPP would like to remind drivers that the Mandatory Alcohol Screening law allows police with an approved alcohol screening device to demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver without having reasonable suspicion that a driver is alcohol impaired.

Categories
North Bay OPP Police Press Releases

US Secret Service Freezes $615,820 Of Spear Phishing Proceeds

(NORTH BAY, ON) – On February 2, 2024, an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) member seconded to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) was notified by a CAFC Call Taker that a Canadian victim business reported a Spear Phishing fraud. The member subsequently contacted the United States Secret Service (USSS) representative regarding the fraud. 

The USSS quickly contacted the US financial institution, which received the transfer and froze approximately $615,820 (CND) of the victim funds. As a result of the timely reporting to the CAFC, and the quick action of the members from each organization, the business is well positioned to recover the funds.

What is the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre?

The CAFC is Canada’s central repository for data, intelligence and resource material that relates to fraud. CAFC does not conduct investigations but provides valuable assistance to law enforcement agencies all over the world. CAFC is jointly managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Competition Bureau Canada and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The CAFC was originally known as Phonebusters, which was created by the OPP.

What is Spear Phishing or Business Email Compromise fraud?

Spear phishing (Business Email Compromise) frauds represented $58.2 million in reported losses to the CAFC in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing over $21.3 million.

Fraudsters send messages to a targeted business or individual’s email account, often to the accounts payable department. Fraudsters will create an email address similar to the targeted company’s email address in order to appear as though the email is originating from a trusted source (a supplier or contractor). The fraudster will request an urgent payment to an alternate bank account for an invoice that is due.

In addition, fraudsters may send malware and if an employee clicks on it, a rule will be created to send copies of incoming emails to one of the fraudster’s email accounts. Fraudsters will take their time to collect information, study the language on their intended targets, and look for important contacts, payments, and dates so they can send convincing emails from a seemingly trusted source. Fraudsters launch their attack when an accounts payable invoice has been identified.

How to protect yourself

·      Remain current on frauds targeting businesses and educate all employees by visiting the CAFC website

·      Include fraud and cyber training as part of new employee’s orientation

·      Avoid opening unsolicited emails or clicking on suspicious links or attachments

·      Take a few seconds to hover over an email address or link and confirm that they are correct

·      Restrict the amount of information shared publicly and show caution with regard to social media

·      Create detailed payment procedures, including verbal authentication for any urgent requests or changes in payment details

·      Create a verification step for unusual requests

·      Establish fraud identifying, managing and reporting procedures

·      Ensure to upgrade and update technical security software

Remember… if you become a victim of a fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS), even if a financial loss did not occur.