(TEMISKAMING SHORES, ON) – Male arrested for shoplifting by off-duty police officer results in four persons charged with drug trafficking.
On September 2, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an off-duty police officer arrested a male for shoplifting at a business on Highway 11 in Dymond Township and the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to assist. Two people fled in a vehicle prior to their arrival and one other person hid in the store.
The vehicle was located, and a traffic stop was conducted on Shepherdson Road in New Liskeard. The occupants were arrested, and the vehicle was searched incident to arrest. Police located and seized drugs suspected to be methamphetamine and fentanyl with a total estimated street value of $112,000. The fourth person was later arrested.
As a result of the investigation, Jordan VAN MIERLO, 38 years-of-age of North Bay, was charged with:
- 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 proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Theft under $5000
Ryan O’HARA, 38 years-of-age of Ajax, was charged with:
- 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 proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Theft under $5000
Ashley GAUDETTE, 36 years-of-age of Cobalt, was charged with:
- 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 proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Theft under $5000
Justine ELSE, 36 years-of-age of North Bay, was charged with:
- 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 proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
- Theft under $5000
- Failure to comply with Release Order
All four accused persons appeared in bail court before the Haileybury Ontario Court of Justice on September 3, 2024. They remain in custody and will next appear before the Haileybury Ontario Court of Justice on September 6, 2024.