Sault man faces multiple charges after assault, vandalism and theft spree

Aerosol trigger of a can of bear spray in an outdoor setting. September 14, 2022. (File photo/Steven White/iStockPhoto)

A 30-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance, following a series of incidents in late July and early August in Sault Ste. Marie.

According to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, officers responded to a report of a bear spray assault in the 0-100 block of Canal Drive on July 29. The victim was attacked by an unknown suspect, later identified as the accused.

“Officers also determined the accused had tipped over a vending machine in the 0-100 block of Huron Street earlier that morning, causing significant damage,” police said in a news release. “A warrant was obtained for their arrest.”

Theft and fraudulent credit card use

Two days later, on Aug. 1, police received another report – this time of a theft from a vehicle in the 200 block of Selby Road. Investigators found that the accused had stolen multiple items – including credit cards, from a victim who was not known to them.

The accused allegedly used the stolen credit card to make purchases at a local business.

Arrest at courthouse

On Aug. 11, the accused was located at the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse and taken into custody. He now faces a lengthy list of charges:

• Assault with a weapon,
• administering a noxious thing (bear spray),
• mischief,
• theft,
• theft of a credit card,
• possession of property obtained by crime,
• possession of a stolen credit card,
• unauthorized use of a credit card,
• three counts of failing to comply with a probation order and
• one count of failing to comply with a release order.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.