Three people from Blind River are facing several charges after a gun was pointed at a driver trying to exit a gas station parking lot.
Ontario Provincial Police were called to the Town of Bruce Mines at around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 21.
Police say the victim was in a vehicle parked beside a suspect vehicle carrying a driver and three passengers.
“Both vehicles reversed simultaneously, during which a rear passenger in the suspect vehicle made an obscene gesture toward the complainant,” OPP allege.
“The passenger then produced a handgun, inserted a magazine, and pointed the weapon at the complainant.”
The suspect vehicle was seen driving off westbound on Highway 17.
Police caught up with it on the highway east of Sault Ste. Marie.
Once it was pulled over, the three occupants were arrested.
“A subsequent search revealed a firearm hidden under the hood of the vehicle, along with a magazine and multiple rounds of ammunition,” OPP said.
Police say they also found drugs in the vehicle, including over seven grams of suspected cocaine, more than seven suspected fentanyl pills, over seven suspected Percocet pills, over 25 suspected clonazepam tablets, and over 280 suspected quetiapine pills. OPP estimate the street value at over $2,600.
Joseph Day, 35, from Blind River was charged with:
- Breach of firearm regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
- Pointing a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
- Possession of prohibited weapon or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin) - two counts
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Fail to comply with probation order - two counts
Keegan Day, 33, from Blind River was charged with:
- Breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance-opioid (other than heroin)
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of a schedule I substance-other drugs
- Failure to comply with undertaking
Lindsay Rietze, 28, from Blind River was charged with:
- Breach of firearms regulation-transport firearm or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was firearm
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
- Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking-opioid (other than heroin) - two counts
- Possession of a schedule IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
- Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
- Fail to surrender insurance card
- Colour coating obscuring interior
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty.