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Barricaded woman, impaired drivers and party-goers keep police on their toes over the weekend

Crisis negotiators successfully end situation where woman barricaded herself in apartment among more than 255 calls for service fielded by GSPS over the weekend
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(File)

Greater Sudbury Police successfully talked a woman out of her barricaded apartment on Sunday, following a busy weekend for officers.

Over the weekend, officers responded to over 255 calls for service.

On Jan. 29, police were called to a traffic complaint after a vehicle was seen striking a stop sign and then continuing on well below the speed limit on Lasalle Boulevard. 

An officer arrived in the area and located the vehicle stopped at the intersection of Lasalle Boulevard at Notre Dame Avenue. When the light turned green, there was a significant time lapse before the vehicle moved forward, and the officer could see that the vehicle had a flat tire.

The officer stopped the vehicle and upon speaking with the driver, there were visible signs of impairment. A standard field sobriety test was conducted, and officers formed reasonable grounds to arrest the driver. 

The driver, a 43-year-old woman, was taken to police headquarters for more testing, and it revealed she was impaired by drugs and charged accordingly, as well as with failing to remain and failing to report an accident.

Shortly after 8 p.m. on Jan. 29, officers were conducting a RIDE check when the driver of a vehicle showed visible signs of impairment. 

Officers conducted a field sobriety test and arrested the driver, who was taken to headquarters for more testing. As a result, the 24-year-old woman was charged with impaired by drugs.

Just after midnight on Jan. 30, officers attended a single-vehicle collision on Falconbridge Road after it was reported there was a vehicle in the ditch. 

Officers arrived on scene and found the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, he showed signs of impairment. 

He was placed under arrest and taken to headquarters where officers administered a breathalyzer and he blew over two times the legal limit. 

The 20-year-old man was charged with impaired.

Around 10:30 a.m., Greater Sudbury Police received a call regarding a woman in emotional distress inside a residential building on Laurent Street. 

Officers arrived on scene and after speaking with an individual outside, they were informed that there was a woman inside one of the units and that she had caused substantial damage to one of the other units in the building. 

When officers attempted to speak with the woman, it became obvious that she had barricaded herself inside the unit, blocking the door with various items. Officers set up containment of the area and made attempts to communicate with the woman.

As time went on, officers could see that the woman had armed herself with a crowbar and was in emotional distress. 

Emergency Response Unit officers specifically trained in crisis negotiation arrived on scene and set up an internal perimetre making numerous attempts to communicate with the woman. 

A psychiatrist arrived on scene in order to assist crisis negotiators and shortly thereafter the woman displayed what appeared to be a firearm, causing elevated concern for her safety and the safety of those on scene.

Just before 5:30 p.m., Emergency Response Unit officers made entry into the unit and took the woman into custody under the Mental Health Act. 

Upon being taken into custody, officers searched the woman and located a knife that was seized prior to her being released to medical professionals so that she could receive the services she requires. Officers also confirmed that the firearm the woman displayed was a pellet gun.

Early this morning, Feb. 1, police received a call regarding a possible party at a residence in Greater Sudbury. 

Officers attended and located numerous people inside the home that did not reside there as the homeowner was hosting a party. Officers issued fines to the homeowner, as well as the individuals in attendance.

As of Jan. 31, 2021, there were 86 active confirmed COVID-19 cases in Greater Sudbury with nine active outbreaks in five schools and four retirement/long-term care facilities and nine community members have died as a result of COVID-19. 

“This serves as a stark reminder of the contagious nature of the virus and the heartbreaking health risks associated to COVID-19,” said Greater Sudbury Police in a news release. “Before you think of yourself, please think of others that you are placing at risk when blatantly disregarding the laws and Public Health recommendations that have been put into place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve. Do your part by staying apart and only traveling for essential purposes.”