Male charged for Robbery of downtown business

On August 23, 2024 at 6pm, police were called to a Christina Street retail business where a rock had been thrown through the front window.  Police received a description of the suspect which was broadcast to patrolling officers.  A suspect matching the description was located nearby, and placed under arrest.  

Investigation revealed this male had attended the store despite being previously trespassed.  When asked to leave, the male began swearing, stole products, and ran outside.  Storeowners chased after him in an effort to retrieve their stolen property and the male violently resisted, repeatedly attempted to strike them to facilitate his escape.  He ultimately broke free and ran to the other side of the street.  There he picked up rocks from local landscaping, and began throwing them at the storeowners, shattering their front business door.  He also made multiple threats to harm them and their business. 

At the time of these offences, this male was subject to a Recognizance of Bail for similar offences, occurring as recently as July of 2024.  A 40 year old of Sarnia, has been held for bail on the following charges:

• Robbery, Criminal Code (CC) section 344
• Assault with a Weapon X 2, CC 267(a)
• Uttering Threats X 2, CC 264.1(1)
• Mischief, CC 430(1)(a)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order X 2, CC 145(5)

Anyone with information on this, or any other crime, is encouraged to contact the Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861.  Online reporting of many crime types is available through our website at SarniaPolice.ca.  

For those who may wish to report information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.p3tips.com.    

  

General Information on Bail Hearings

“Held for bail” means the police chose to not release an accused person back into the community. However, as the police cannot hold a person in custody for longer than 24 hours, we are required to send them to bail court, where they will have a bail hearing. There, the presiding judge or Justice of the Peace will decide whether the person should be released into the community or not.

“Released on bail” means the police held them in custody, but a subsequent release decision by the courts was made.

“Remanded” into custody means the accused was not granted release by the courts.

The bail system provides a framework to oversee and put limits on police custody. It is governed by legislation including the Criminal Code of Canada.