(KAPUSKASING, ON) An officer-initiated traffic stop led to the driver being charged for several criminal offences.
On April 27, 2024, shortly after 11:00 p.m., the James Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was observed swerving on Riverside Drive in Kapuskasing.
Police spoke to the driver and determined that they had been consuming an intoxicating substance. The driver was arrested and a search incident to arrest revealed the driver to be in possession of a substance suspected to be cocaine. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle was stolen, and the drivers licence was suspended under the criminal code. The driver was transported to the Kapuskasing detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Marcel LAFONTAINE, 48 years of age of Hearst, was charged with the following:
Operation while impaired alcohol and drugs
Failure or refusal to comply with demand
Possession of a schedule I substance cocaine
Theft of a motor vehicle
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
Take motor vehicle without consent
Operation while prohibited under the criminal code two counts
Driving while under suspension (HTA)
The accused remains in custody and is next scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on May 13, 2024 in Kapuskasing.