Three arrested in Elliot Lake in stolen pickup truck

An Ontario Provincial Police vehicle parked in the winter. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Three individuals were arrested in Elliot Lake early Sunday morning after Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) located a stolen pickup truck and discovered drugs and weapons.

The East Algoma OPP located a vehicle that have been reported stolen at about 6:15 a.m. on March 2. Officers found the pickup truck in a parking lot at an apartment complex on Hillside Drive North.

“The pickup truck attempted to leave the area but was stopped and the driver and two occupants were arrested,” said police in a news release.

The driver, a 36-year-old man, and his two passengers – a 30-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man – were arrested at the scene. Police reported that the driver was found in possession of a bag of pills and brass knuckles, and exhibited signs of impairment.

Authorities said that highly trained drug recognition evaluator officers who are skilled in the detection and investigation of drug impaired drivers are used by OPP.

As a result of the investigation, all three individuals were charged with possession of property obtained by crime. The driver faces additional charges, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, drug possession and two impaired driving-related offences.

The accused are scheduled to appear in court in Elliot Lake on April 10.

In the news release, OPP emphasized the dangers of drug-impaired driving, noting that impairment by any substance – whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal – is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code.

“The OPP would like to remind the motoring public that impaired is impaired,” police said.

“Impairment by drugs is a crime under the Criminal Code and drivers are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol.”

“Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911,” said police.