(LAURENTIAN VALLEY TWP, ON) An individual has been arrested by members of the Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in connection with a shoplifting incident that turned violent.
On September 8, 2024, at approximately 9:45 p.m., police responded to a shoplifting incident in progress at a retail store in Laurentian Valley Township. Investigation found that an individual left the store with a shopping cart full of unpaid items. Private citizens confronted the individual and both citizens were sprayed with an irritant. The individual fled on foot and the citizens were taken to hospital with minor injuries. A search of the area for the person of interest by responding officers, OPPs Emergency Response Team (ERT), and an OPP Canine Unit was unsuccessful.
On September 13, 2024, police arrested and charged Codie DUFAULT, age 29 of Whitewater Region, with the following Criminal Code (CC) offences:
· Assault with a weapon two counts
· Breach of recognizance two counts
· Theft under $5000
The accused was held for a bail hearing and remains in custody until their next appearance at the Ontario Court of Justice on September 20, 2024.