Two more face theft, weapons charges in ongoing break-in investigation

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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JAMES TOWNSHIP, CHAMBERLAIN TOWNSHIP, ENGLEHART - On March 12, 2021 shortly after 4:30 p.m., members of the Temiskaming Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call for a break and enter on Highway 560 in the Township of James.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the perpetrators attended the property on March 10 and stole some items, and then re-attended the same property on March 12, 2021 to steal further items.

On March 16, officers arrested and charged two accused with several charges. A search warrant of a residence revealed a large quantity of suspected drugs, cash and a considerable amount of stolen property.

On March 18, the Temiskaming OPP arrested a third accused allegedly involved in the break and enter.

Leonard Shearer, a 30-year-old resident of Englehart, has been charged with:
    •    Break, enter a place - commit indictable offence, contrary to section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (CC),
    •    Break and enter a place and steal a firearm, contrary to section 98(1)(b) of the CC,
    •    Possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime, contrary to section 96(a) of the CC,
    •    Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the CC,
    •    Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm - licence, contrary to section 92(1)(a) of the CC,
    •    Unauthorized possession of weapon, contrary to section 91(2) of the CC,
    •    Knowledge of unauthorized possession of weapon, contrary to section 92(2) of the CC, and
    •    Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, contrary to section 117.01(1) of the CC (two counts).

The accused was held for a Bail Hearing and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date in the City of Temiskaming Shores.

On March 22, members of the Temiskaming OPP were at an address on First Street in the Town of Englehart on an unrelated matter. A fourth accused allegedly involved in the break and enter, was arrested.

Amy Brash, a 29-year-old resident of Englehart has been charged with:
    •    Break and enter a place and steal a firearm, contrary to section 98(1)(b) of the CC,
    •    Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000 - in Canada, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the CC,
    •    Possession of a Schedule I substance - other drugs, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA),
    •    Unauthorized possession of a firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the CC, and
    •    Possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime, contrary to section 96(a) of the CC.

The accused was released by way of Undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on March 27, 2021 in the City of Temiskaming Shores.

The Temiskaming OPP would like to remind the public, to report all suspicious activity to police. Try to obtain as much information as possible while assuring your safety, and do not interfere with the crime scene.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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