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New charges over Fort Frances break and enters

OPP add new charges and second accused as a result of investigation into string of break and enters in Fort Frances
Fort Frances OPP evidence Thomas Atkinson
OPP say they seized significant amounts of drugs, stolen property, currency, and other items from a Fort Frances address Thursday. (Police photo)

FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Police have added new charges in the case of a Fort Frances man accused in a string of break and enters in the town earlier this month, after seizing additional evidence.

A second individual was also charged as a result of the investigation.

Ontario Provincial Police seized drugs with a street value of $100,000 and stolen property on Thursday after executing a search warrant at a Portage Avenue business, the force reported Saturday.

The proprietor of the business is not connected in any way with the investigation, said Sergeant Ann McEwan, while there is also a residence on site.

The search came as part of an investigation into numerous break and enters in the community that took place on Jan. 11, 12, and 13.

Local man Thomas Atkinson, 30, was taken into custody on Jan. 13, and charged with break and enter, theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of heroin. 

As a result of the ongoing investigation, he now faces a raft of additional charges: five counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking (Schedule I), possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, two counts of failure to comply with a release order, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and separate counts of possession of proceeds as well as property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Investigators had “recovered stolen property related to multiple thefts previously reported” during the search, OPP said.

The force reported seizing fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine, hydromorphone, and dilaudid with an estimated street value of $100,000, as well as Canadian currency, imitation firearms and pellet guns, compound bows, and a conducted energy weapon.

OPP charged a second individual as a result of the investigation. Jade Morrison, 28, of Fort Frances remains in custody after being charged with five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking (Schedule 1), possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of proceeds or property obtained by crime under $5,000, failure to comply with probation order, and failure to comply with release order.

Both accused are scheduled to appear Monday in Fort Frances provincial court.




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