Two arrested after police recover stolen Sault pickup truck stuck on sandy beach

CTV National News: New plan to fight auto thefts The federal government is promising a new plan to fight against vehicle theft. Tony Grace has the details.

Two people are facing multiple charges after a pickup truck stolen in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. was found stuck in the sand at a beach in a Thessalon First Nation community last week.

The vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in the early morning hours of May 30, said Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in a news release.

“The owner had video footage of three individuals around the pickup truck at approximately 4 a.m. before it left their property,” said police.

“The complainant advised that the GPS in the pickup truck showed its location parked near Lakeshore Drive within the community of Thessalon First Nation.”

OPP officers located the stolen grey pickup stuck in the sand shortly after 9:30 a.m., they said that two people were trying get the truck out of the sand – both were subsequently arrested at the scene.

A search of the suspects found 30 grams of suspected crystal meth, a small amount of cocaine powder and drug paraphernalia, said police.

OPP estimated the street value of the drugs seized at $3,000.

Police later determined that one of the individuals, a 29-year-old woman from London, Ont. had provided a fake name to police.

Both accused were charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The 37-year-old male driver from Thessalon First Nation is also charged with driving while under suspension, operating a motor vehicle while prohibited and drug trafficking. The London woman facing one additional charge for obstructing a peace officer.

Both accused remain in custody following a video bail hearing on Friday.

None of the allegations has been proven in cou