Category: Rainy River

(RAINY RIVER DISTRICT, ON) – The Rainy River District Detachment Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was busy over the long weekend with the arrest of two impaired drivers and 104 traffic related charges laid.

The first impaired incident occurred on April 19, 2025, at approximately 12:00 pm. Fort Frances OPP responded to a report of an unresponsive person behind the wheel of a car. Officers attended and forced entry into the vehicle.

Investigation determined that the driver was impaired by drug consumption and required medical intervention.

Brett BROWN, 19-years-old, from Fort Frances is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on May 12, 2025, to speak to the charge.

The second impaired driving incident also happened on April 19, at approximately 5:00 pm. An officer with the OPP in Atikokan stopped a vehicle on Hwy 11 west of town after the automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) instrument indicated on the licence plate of a passing vehicle.

The officer determined that the driver had been drinking and demanded a roadside alcohol test. The driver failed the test, was placed under arrest and transported to the Atikokan Detachment where additional breath testing was completed.

Joanie Alison SPOON, 45-years-old, from Seine River First Nation is charged criminally with one count of impaired operation alcohol or drug and one count impaired operation blood alcohol concentration 80 mgs or over.

The accused’s driver licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released by police and has a first appearance in the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice on May 29, 2025.

The Easter long weekend traffic campaign ran from Friday April 18 to Monday April 21. Officers in the Rainy River District laid a total of 104 traffic related charges. In a first for the district, the Fort Frances OPP teamed up with the Treaty Three Police Service and deployed a drone to capture video of drivers utilizing handheld communication devices while driving. This innovative project resulted in seven distracted driving charges.

Incidents of impaired driving continue to trend upward in the district. The Rainy River District Detachment OPP is committed to improving road safety through increased enforcement, and public education. The public can do its part by reporting impaired drivers. If you suspect someone is driving impaired call 9-1-1. Road safety is everyone’s shared responsibility.  

(Rainy River, ON) – On September 22nd, 2024, at approximately 01:28 a.m., officers from the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle along River Avenue, within the Town of Rainy River.

Through the investigation, it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages, was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.

As a result of the investigation, Alesia ELLIS, 40, of Fort Frances was charged with:

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

•           Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs;

The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Rainy River on October 24th, 2024.

(Rainy River, ON) – Furthermore, on September 22^nd, 2024, at approximately 02:49 a.m., officers from the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle along Hwy 11-71, within the Township of La Vallee.

Through the investigation, it was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages, was placed under arrest & returned to the detachment for further tests.

As a result of the investigation, Zoe NAMAYPOKE, 32, of Fort Frances was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus);
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs;
• Novice driver B.A.C above zero Contrary to Section 44.1(3) of the Highway Traffic Act
• Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor Contrary to Section 42(1)(a) of the Liquor License Control Act.

The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on November 4^th, 2024.

The OPP is committed to safety for all who utilize Ontario’s roadways. Members of the public are urged to report Impaired Driving by calling 911 in emergency situations. Complaints of impaired, aggressive or careless driving can also be made by calling 1-888-310-1122.

(RAINY RIVER DISTRICT, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the Rainy River District laid two impaired charges last weekend.  

On June 29, 2024, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Atikokan OPP officers were responding to a call for service when they observed an individual operating a motorized scooter who appeared to be intoxicated. Officers conducted a traffic stop and demanded the individual provide a breath sample into an Approved Screening Device (ASD). The operator refused to provide a sample and was subsequently arrested.

John Masson, 68-years-old, of Atikokan is charged with Failure to Comply with Demand contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Masson is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on August 22, 2024.

Further, On June 29, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m. marine operators of the Rainy River District were conducting general patrol duties on Rainy Lake and began a vessel and fishery inspection. Alcohol was located near the vessel operator and he was instructed to provide a breath sample on the ASD. The vessel operator failed the ASD and was subsequently arrested.

Scott Chalupsky, 54-years-old, of Fort Frances is charged with Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration 80+ contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Chalupsky was charged under various provincial acts with Possessing a Fish of a Prohibited Size Under a Sport Fishing Licence and Operating a Pleasure Craft Without Prescribed Vessel Safety Equipment.

Chalupsky is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on July 15, 2024.