Sarnia police urge caution following second homicide in three days

Tara Jeffrey Sarnia Police are once again urging residents to secure their homes and report any suspicious activity following the city’s second homicide in three days.

Tara Jeffrey

Sarnia Police are once again urging residents to secure their homes and report any suspicious activity following the city’s second homicide in three days.

Police located a deceased male inside a home in the 500 block of Devine Street, around 1:35 p.m., Tuesday.

“The death of this man appears to be suspicious and is being treated as a homicide,” police said in a news release issued late Tuesday, noting the residence is now being held as a crime scene.

“We are asking that if anyone has video surveillance from the area surrounding the 500 block of Devine Street, including nearby Russell St South, Ontario Street, and Conrad Street to contact the Sarnia Police. The time frame would be from 5:00 PM on January 25, 2021 to 7:30 AM on January 26, 2021.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Branch Information Line at 519-344-8861, extension 5300. If you wish to remain anonymous please call Sarnia Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police are once again reminding residents to secure doors and windows, ensure exterior lights are on and operational, and to contact police if anyone suspicious is observed in the area.

“We are also asking residents who have elderly family members, that live alone, to reach out to them and periodically ensure their wellbeing,” the release stated.

The news comes just three days after a woman was found dead in her Essex St. home, Saturday. Police are treating the death of 66-year-old Sue-Elin Lumsden as a homicide.

Late Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Sarnia woman following a stabbing that sent a 57-year-old man to London hospital, earlier that morning. Lindsay Rene Smith, of no fixed address, is charged on one count each of assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

“We would also like to reassure the public that our officers and detectives have been diligently working on these investigations and utilizing all available resources and personnel to solve these recent crimes,” police said.

This marks the city’s fourth homicide this year. Earlier this month, Luis Enrique Hernandez, 26, of Sarnia died of his injuries in hospital. Timothy James Noj, 32, of Sarnia has been charged with second-degree murder.

Natalie Bartlett, 39, also died from her injuries in hospital; Joseph Dominic DiCarlo, 45, has been charged with first-degree murder.

In Lambton County, A 51-year-old Corunna woman was also found dead in her Riverside Drive home in the early hours of Dec. 31. Shawn Trowbridge, also of Corunna, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.