(MOOSONEE, ON) – The James Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have made their third impaired driving arrest of 2024 in Moosonee.
On March 14, 2024, shortly before 9:00 a.m., the James Bay OPP responded to a call of a suspected impaired driver, on the community ice road between Moosonee and Moose Factory.
Police located the subject vehicle, which was stuck on the ice adjacent to the ice road. Police determined that the driver had been consuming an alcoholic beverage, and the driver was arrested and transported to the Moosonee detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Kristin WABANO, 36 years of age of Moose Factory, was charged with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs.
Also during this investigation, the passenger of the vehicle was actively obstructing police and as a result, Jessie GUNNER, 39 years of age of Moose Factory was arrested and charged with the following:
- Obstruct peace officer
- Resist peace officer
The two accused persons were released and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on May 7, 2024 in Moosonee.
This arrest was the third arrest related to impaired driving made by the Moosonee detachment this calendar year.
On January 25, 2024, shortly after 8:00 a.m. the James Bay OPP responded to a call of a stolen taxi from a driveway on Hutchison Road in Moosonee.
When police attended the scene, the suspect had already returned with the stolen vehicle, and was still sitting in the driver’s seat. Police determined that the driver had been consuming an alcohol beverage, and the driver was arrested and transported to the Moosonee detachment for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Melanie SUTHERLAND, 24 years of age of Fort Albany was arrested and charged with the following:
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Failure to comply with release order – two counts
The accused was released and the matter is still before the courts. The accused is next scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on April 17, 2024 in Moosonee.
On February 11, shortly after 6:00 p.m., the James Bay OPP responded to a call of a stolen vehicle in Moosonee, that was reported to be driving onto the community ice road between Moosonee and Moose Factory.
Police located the stolen vehicle a short time later on the ice road, stuck in a snowbank with minor damage (photo attached), however the driver had left the scene prior to police arrival.
An extensive search and patrol of the surrounding area led to the arrest of a 16-year-old person from Moosonee, who was charged with the following:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Fail to stop after an accident
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Mischief under $5000
- Obstruct peace officer
- Drive motor vehicle – no licence
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on April 17, 2024 in Moosonee. The OPP will not be releasing the name of the accused under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).