LAMBTON COUNTY MEDIA RELEASES DETACHMENT COMMANDER: INSP. FRED WESSELS (519) 882-1011 CALL 1-888-310-1122 FOR POLICE SARNIALAMBTONCRIMESTOPPERS	KEEPING YOU INFORMED KEEPING YOU SAFE
FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: 11Mar10 DAYTIME BREAK INS UNDER INVESTIGATION - SUSPECTS BEING SOUGHT Lambton OPP is currently investigating as many as three daytime break ins that occurred at rural properties in south Lambton yesterday. (THAMESVILLE, ON) On the 10^th of March, 2010, at around 1:35pm, the property owner arrived home in the 1400 block of Oil Heritage Road to find a suspicious vehicle parked in the driveway. As the caller exited their vehicle, two male persons were seen to approach from opposite sides of the residence. They asked the victim for directions to Sarnia and departed southbound. It was only after their departure that it was realized that the front door to the home had been forced and the interior gone through. The suspect vehicle is as a newer model Dodge Charger, 2 door described as being a dark maroon with a blue tinge. The licence plate had a tinted surface concealing the plate numbers. The suspect males are described as White, 25-30 years,5’6” tall, short cropped dark hair, heavy set with no facial hair White, 25-30 years, 5’3” tall, with short cropped dark hair, thin build, fair complexion with no facial hair. LP10059590 (ST CLAIR TWP, ON) Sometime between 1:00pm and 3:30pm, on the 10^th of March, 2010, thieves gained entry to a residence in the 2900 block of Bentpath Line by forcing the front door. The interior to the home was ransacked. Stolen was a 44” Toshiba flat screen television, a jewellery box and an undisclosed amount of cash. LP10059718 (ST CLAIR TWP, ON) On the 10^th of March, 2010, at around 5:00pm, the property owner arrived at their residence in the 1900 block of Bentpath Line to find their home had been entered. Entry had been gained by forcing an exterior door. Stolen from within was a desktop computer as well as a personal safe. The safe was later recovered the Chatham Kent area. LP10059801 It is not known if the break ins are related but all are at rural properties and in close proximity to each other. If anyone has information as to who the suspects are or can assist in these investigations, they are asked to call Lambton OPP or Crimestoppers. FIRE DESTROYS TRAILER RESIDENCE – OWNER UNIJURED ( LAMBTON SHORES, ON) At around 1:30am on Wednesday, the 10^th of March, 2010, police and fire were called to the Silver Birches Campground, Army Camp Road for a structure fire. A house trailer at that location was found to be fully engulfed in flames. The 65 year female owner, who was home at the time was able to escape and was not injured. The Northville Fire Department was able to extinguish the blaze, but not before the trailer sustained extensive damage. The owner’s pick up which was parked adjacent to the trailer was also heavily damaged. Investigation revealed that the property owner had been applying an oil based paint product inside the trailer area earlier and an ignition source is believed to have ignited the vapour. The fire is not deemed to be suspicious. LP10059171 - 30 - Lambton OPP needs the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist Police with any investigation, please call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY at 1-800-222-8477. (1-800-222-TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and does not trace calls. YOU COULD EARN A CASH REWARD IF YOUR INFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING A SUSPECT. Contact: Cst John Reurink CSO/ Media Relations Lambton OPP Phone: 1-888-801-0491 FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: 09Mar10 BREAK IN TO VARIETY STORE (ST CLAIR TWP, ON) Shortly before midnight on the 8^th of March, 2010, officers responded to an alarm call at the Pic and Pay Variety Store, located at 3493 St Clair Parkway, Sombra. Upon arrival, it was found that entry had been gained to the store by smashing the front door. No suspects were located inside. Investigation shows that the thieves targeted the cigarette display and the locked cash register. In each case they were unsuccessful gaining access. Stolen was a 2 litre bottle of pop. The estimated damage to the front door is approximately $700. The investigation is continuing. LP10058240 DAYTIME BREAK IN TO WILKESPORT RESIDENCE (ST CLAIR TWP, ON) Sometime between 6:30am and 3:50pm on the 8^th of March, 2010, thieves gained entry to a Wilkesport Line residence by forcing the rear door. Stolen from within was an LG 47” flatscreen television and a quantity of jewellery. There are no suspects. The investigation is continuing. LP10057914 - 30 - Lambton OPP needs the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist Police with any investigation, please call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY at 1-800-222-8477. (1-800-222-TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and does not trace calls. YOU COULD EARN A CASH REWARD IF YOUR INFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING A SUSPECT. Contact: Cst John Reurink CSO/ Media Relations Lambton OPP Phone: 1-888-801-0491 FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: March 08, 2010 Reward Ad Campaign Karen CAUGHLIN Homicide 1974 (Petrolia, ON) The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch under the direction of Detective Inspector Ian Maule, along with members of the Unsolved Homicide Investigative Team is continuing their investigation into the 1974 murder of 14 year old Karen Caughlin. The OPP, Caughlin family, Sarnia Transit and Pattison Outdoor Advertising launched a billboard ad campaign today to promote the $50,000 reward offered in the unsolved murder of Karen Caughlin. On the early morning of March 16, 1974 Karen Caughlin, age 14, was dropped off on Brock Street South, in Sarnia in front of her girl friends house. She never entered the residence. Karen Caughlin was found dead in a ditch beside what is now known as Plowing Match Road, north west of the Town of Petrolia in the morning hours of that same morning. Her coat and shoes were located a short distance from her body in a pile of branches. Her purse was discovered several days later in a ditch just north of Petrolia, south east of where her body was located. The resulting post mortem revealed that Karen had died as a result of injuries consistent with being struck and run over by a motor vehicle. As a result of further investigation and evidence gathered at the scene it was determined that Karen had been murdered. Paint chips found on Karen’s clothing indicate that the involved vehicle is most likely a 1970 to 1971 Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge product with metallic purple paint, commonly known as “Plum Crazy Purple”. This type of paint was used predominantly on Chrysler’s performance vehicles such as the Barracuda, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Demon, Duster, and Superbee. This paint was also used on Chrysler’s Belvedere, Coronet, Satellite, and Valliant models. Photographs of the vehicle types can be viewed at: http://www.opp.ca/media/suspected-cars.pdf. In 2004, a review of evidence resulted in the development of DNA evidence in the case that was found to be that of a male suspect. Although numerous persons of interest have been tested and eliminated through DNA, this case still remains unsolved. The OPP Criminal Investigation Branch and the Caughlin family are again bringing this case to the public’s attention at the time of the 36^th anniversary of Karen murder to ask for the public’s assistance. The OPP ask that anyone who can provide information or the name of the person or persons responsible for Karen Caughlin’s murder to come forward and provide that information immediately by contacting the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122, your nearest police agency or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The $50,000 reward billboard can be viewed at http://www.opp.ca/media/Karen-Caughlin-Billboard.pdf. The reward will be apportioned as deemed just by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services for the Province of Ontario and the Commissioner of the OPP. For more information on this case visit the OPP website at: http://www.opp.ca/cibui/html/displaycase.php?id=17. -30- Contact: Cst John Reurink CSO/ Media Relations Lambton OPP Phone: 1-888-801-049 FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: 08Mar10 REMINDER OF NEWS CONFERENCE (LAMBTON COUNTY, ON) On March 8, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigations Branch will hold a media conference at the Lambton OPP headquarters relating to the historical homicide of Karen Caughlin. On March 16, 1974, the body of Karen Caughlin was discovered a few miles outside of the Town of Petrolia, Ontario. The case has remained unsolved for almost 36 years. The conference will take place at the Lambton OPP Headquarters situated at 4224 Oil Heritage Road in Petrolia. Further details will be provided during the media conference. INJURED CHILD UPGRADED TO FAIR CONDITION (PLYMPTON-WYOMING, ON) A 2 year old child injured in a strange incident at a Michigan Line home Friday has been upgraded from critical to fair condition. On Friday, March 5^th, 2010, at around 12:30pm, the 2 ½ year old boy was playing with is 5 year old brother outside a home in the 3000 block of Michigan Line. The pair were reportedly playing around a utility trailer when one of the steel loading ramps at the rear of the trailer fell upon the boy, pinning him underneath. The child’s grandmother and his brother were able to free him from under the ramp and medical care was administered. An ambulance was called when it was realized that the child had sustained a neck injury causing him to have difficulty breathing. He was rushed to Bluewater Health, Mitton site where he was stablized and rushed to London Health Sciences in critical condition. It was determined that the child’s windpipe had been damaged. The child, who will not be named is recovering in hospital and has been upgraded to fair condition. Investigation indicates that the boys may have removed the locking pin from the ramp causing it to fall. Property owners are reminded to make sure that items that could potentially fall should be secured with a locking mechanism to thwart little fingers from being able to tamper with them. LP10054850 DRIVER HELD FOR BAIL HEARING FACING SEVERAL CHARGES (BROOKE-ALVINSTON, ON) A 26 year old Alvinston man faces several criminal charges after he was stopped attempting to evade police. It is alleged that at around 4:30pm, on the 7^th of March, 2010, an officer patrolling on Nauvoo Road in Alvinston, he observed a motorcycle approaching at a speed that was far in excess of the posted limit. The Harley Davidson motorcycle was found to be travelling at 80 kilometres over the posted limit. The officer attempted to stop the speeding vehicle, but the driver continued on. At one point, the fleeing driver drove through the congested parking lot of the Alvinston arena at a high rate of speed. As the driver attempted to evade police by driving over the lawn east of the arena, he lost control, causing the bike to become stuck. He was apprehended as he attempted to run from the scene. It was found that upon being arrested that his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by an alcoholic beverage. .Subsequent breath tests revealed that he was more than 1 ½ time the legal limit. Investigation revealed that Franklin James Michalek was already before the court for other similar criminal charges. He now faces additional criminal charges of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Flight From Police Impaired Operation Being Over the Legal Limit Drive While Disqualified ( X 2 ) Fail to Comply with Undertaking ( X 4 ) He also faces as many as 6 Highway Traffic Act charges and Operating a Vehicle with No Insurance. LP10057117 FAIL TO MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE LEADS TO DISQUALIFIED DRIVER (SARNIA, ON) It is alleged that on the 6^th of March, 2010, at around 1:00pm, an OP P officer had a vehicle stopped on westbound 402 with emergency lights flashing. Although the four lane roadway was clear of any other traffic, an approaching vehicle failed to move over to the opposite lane of traffic. Upon being stopped, it was determined that the 73 year old male driver was disqualified from driving a motor vehicle. Giles Jodoin from Zurich, Ontario faces charges of Driving While Disqualified, Fail to Surrender Revoked or Suspended Licence and Failing to Move Over for Emergency Vehicle. He will appear in Sarnia court on the 17^th of May, 2010 to answer to the charges. His 2006 Jaguar has been impounded for 45 days at his expense. LP10055899 - 30 - Lambton OPP needs the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist Police with any investigation, please call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY at 1-800-222-8477. (1-800-222-TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and does not trace calls. YOU COULD EARN A CASH REWARD IF YOUR INFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING A SUSPECT. Contact: Cst John Reurink CSO/ Media Relations Lambton OPP Phone: 1-888-801-0491 FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: 05Mar10 REMINDER OF NEWS CONFERENCE (LAMBTON COUNTY, ON) On March 8, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigations Branch will hold a media conference at the Lambton OPP headquarters relating to the historical homicide of Karen Caughlin. On March 16, 1974, the body of Karen Caughlin was discovered a few miles outside of the Town of Petrolia, Ontario. The case has remained unsolved for almost 36 years. The conference will take place at the Lambton OPP Headquarters situated at 4224 Oil Heritage Road in Petrolia. Further details will be provided during the media conference. THEFT FROM VEHICLE AT ARENA PARKING LOT (LAMBTON SHORES, ON) Sometime between 8:30pm and 9:00pm, on the 4^th of March, 2010, the victim parked her van at the Shores Recreation Complex. Her purse, along with other personal property was left inside the locked vehicle. Upon her return, it was realized that the door lock had been tampered with allowing access to the vehicle. Stolen was her purse containing a cellular phone, an undisclosed amount of Canadian currency, as well as personal documents. Bags of purchased groceries were left untouched. There are no suspects. LP10054323 - 30 - Lambton OPP needs the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist Police with any investigation, please call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY at 1-800-222-8477. (1-800-222-TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and does not trace calls. YOU COULD EARN A CASH REWARD IF YOUR INFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING A SUSPECT. Contact: Cst John Reurink CSO/ Media Relations Lambton OPP Phone: 1-888-801-0491 FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: March 3, 2010 – 10:30 A.M. TRUCK TRAFFIC NO LONGER PERMITTED IN CORUNNA (ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP, ON) Lambton OPP reminds truck drivers that transport trucks are no longer allowed to travel through Corunna. La Salle Line road repairs are now completed and the roadway has re-opened. La Salle Line is the designated truck route to by-pass Corunna, and now that it has re-opened, transport trucks are expected to be using La Salle Line. BREAK AND ENTER IN PETROLIA (PETROLIA, ON) Lambton OPP is investigating a break and enter to a residence in the 400 block of Princess Street that happened on March 2, 2010 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Unknown person(s) gained entry to the residence by breaking a window in the side door. Items missing include: an IPOD and IPOD dock, an XBox gaming system with controllers, battery pack and games and an Acer Aspire Laptop. An undisclosed amount of cash was also stolen. If you have any information about this, please contact the Lambton OPP or Crime Stoppers. (LP10052011) BREAK AND ENTER IN CORUNNA (CORUNNA, ON) Sometime between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on March 2, 2010, unknown person(s) entered a residence in the 700 block of Bentinck Drive. Unknown person(s) gained entry by smashing a rear basement window of the residence. Items reported stolen include a Playstation 3 gaming system, an IPOD, some bottles of alcohol and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. It you have information about this break and enter, please contact the Lambton OPP or Crime Stoppers. (LP10052299) REMINDER OF NEWS CONFERENCE (LAMBTON COUNTY, ON) On March 8, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigations Branch will hold a media conference at the Lambton OPP headquarters relating to the historical homicide of Karen Caughlin. On March 16, 1974, the body of Karen Caughlin was discovered a few miles outside of the Town of Petrolia, Ontario. The case has remained unsolved for almost 36 years. The conference will take place at the Lambton OPP Headquarters situated at 4224 Oil Heritage Road in Petrolia. Further details will be provided during the media conference. Lambton OPP needs the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist Police with any investigation, please call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY at 1-800-222-8477. (1-800-222-TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and does not trace calls. YOU COULD EARN A CASH REWARD IF YOUR INFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING A SUSPECT. - 30 - Contact: Constable Chrystal Jones Lambton County OPP Community Services/Media Relations Office: (519) 786-2349 Pager: 1-888-287-7249 chrystal.jones@ontario.ca FROM/DE: Lambton OPP DATE: March 2, 2010 – 8:15 a.m. TWO IMPAIRED DRIVERS ARRESTED (ST.CLAIR TOWNSHIP, ON) On March 1, 2010, Lambton OPP received information about an impaired driver who was driving a Honda on Highway 40. At around 6:45 a.m., the vehicle was located and stopped on Highway 40 in the area of Bickford Line. While speaking with the driver, it was determined that he had been consuming alcoholic beverages. Subsequent tests indicated that the driver was more than 2 times the legal limit. Twenty-nine year old Harland Joseph from Wallaceburg will appear in a Sarnia court on April 12, 2010 to speak to the charges of Impaired Driving, Being Over the Legal Limit and Driving while Suspended. (LP10050821) (PETROLIA, ON) On March 1, 2010 at around 7:00 a.m., Lambton OPP stopped a Chevrolet pickup on Petrolia Line in the area of Tank Street. It was determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages and subsequent tests indicated that he was over the legal limit. During a search of the vehicle, a quantity of suspected marijuaha was seized. Thirty-five year old Cameron Holt from Petrolia will appear in a Sarnia court on April 19, 2010 to speak to the charges of Impaired driving, Being Over the Legal Limit and Possession of a Controlled Substance. (LP10050835) Lambton OPP needs the assistance of the public. If you have any information that can assist Police with any investigation, please call the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS ANONYMOUSLY at 1-800-222-8477. (1-800-222-TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and does not trace calls. YOU COULD EARN A CASH REWARD IF YOUR INFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN APPREHENDING A SUSPECT. - 30 - Contact: Constable Chrystal Jones Lambton County OPP Community Services/Media Relations Office: (519) 786-2349 Pager: 1-888-287-7249 chrystal.jones@ontario.ca
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