Three men face multiple charges after police responded to a public safety incident on Manitoulin Island on Tuesday that prompted a shelter-in-place advisory and the execution of a search warrant. Members of the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service responded to the incident on Sheshegwaning First Nation on July 28, following reports of concern. “Police received information that individuals in the community were in possession of a firearm and were believed to be involved in several Criminal Code offences,” UCCM Anishnaabe police said in a news release Wednesday. Shelter-in-place issued Multiple UCCM Anishnaabe police teams, including its canine unit, immediately responded and safely contained the situation. “As a precautionary measure, a shelter-in-place advisory was issued for the area of Balsam Street while officers continued their investigation,” police said. The service subsequently partnered with the Ontario Provincial Police to execute a search warrant at a residence in Sheshegwaning First Nation. “Officers safely took two individuals into custody without incident and seized evidence related to the investigation,” police said. The shelter-in-place advisory was lifted at approximately 10:45 p.m. More than a dozen charges laid A man from Courtice, Ont., and a man from Scarborough were arrested and held in custody pending a bail hearing on July 29. Both face charges of drug trafficking, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, breaking-and-entering a dwelling house with intent, two counts of criminal harassment by threats and possession of property obtained by crime. The Courtice man is additionally charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order. Third arrest During the investigation, officers also became aware of an unrelated individual who was allegedly breaching the conditions of a judicial release order by being present on Manitoulin Island. This man from Ottawa was subsequently charged with two counts of failure to comply with a release order. He was also held in custody pending a bail hearing on Wednesday.
