NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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On Jan. 1, 2025, at approximately 1 p.m., the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a stolen vehicle that had been taken from a parking lot on West Street in the Town of Blind River sometime after 4 p.m. the previous day.
The investigation revealed two roommates had taken the car keys from the owner's a pants pocket. At approximately 2 p.m., while searching for the stolen black vehicle, officers spotted it travelling eastbound on Highway 17 toward Blind River.
A traffic stop was initiated on Causley Street, where both the driver and passenger were arrested and transported to the Blind River Detachment.
During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had consumed an intoxicating substance. Further testing was then conducted by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) from the Mississauga First Nation Police Service.
As a result, the driver Donna Smith, 60 from Blind River, was charged with:
- Take motor vehicle without consent
- Operation while impaired - drugs
- Drive motor vehicle - licence
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Feb. 6.
The passenger, Mindy Brown, 40 from Blind River, was charged with: Take motor vehicle without consent
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on March 6.
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