NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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On Jan. 22, 2022 at approximately 6:30 p.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to a theft-related occurrence at a gas bar variety store on Highway 108 in Elliot Lake.
The complainant reported that a person was just in the store who had stolen numerous items and then left on foot. A description of the person was provided to police who located them a short time afterwards on Hillside Drive South. When police attempted to speak to them, [it is alleged that] the person was very uncooperative and proceeded to punch officers. Once police gained control, the person was arrested and the stolen property was retrieved.
Russ Schmitz, 30 years old of Elliot Lake, was charged with:
• theft under $5,000 - Shoplifting, contrary to section 334(b) of the Criminal Code (CC)
• resist peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the CC
• assault a peace officer, contrary to section 270(1)(a) of the CC
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake, Ontario on March 1, 2022.
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