Skip to content

Police arrest four, recover $22K in stolen property after theft in Nairn Centre

If you were the victim of a theft in Nairn Centre in May, contact police; they may have recovered your property
opp - too small!
(File)

Four people, including a Sudbury man, have been arrested and face numerous charges after a theft and flight from police earlier this week.

On June 1, the Manitoulin OPP received a report of a theft from the Esso Station in Nairn Centre. The suspect vehicle was found by police but fled when the cruiser was spotted.

Officers from the Manitoulin Detachment with the assistance from the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Sudbury OPP, OPP helicopter, OPP Canine Unit, Emergency Response Team, the Anishnawbek Police Service (APS) and Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) were able to locate the vehicle eventually and arrest all four people believed to be involved.

Not only did they find the suspects and the stolen vehicle, police said they recovered a large quantity of stolen property valued at approximately $22,500. This includes:

  • Vehicles recovered were valued at approximately $18,000;
  • Machinery and tools recovered were valued at approximately $3,800;
  • Miscellaneous items recovered were valued at approximately $700, and;
  • 45 cannabis plants were seized.

Gaston Charles Gagnon, 31, of Barrie has been charged with:

  • Theft under $5,000;
  • Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000;
  • Theft over $5,000 contrary;
  • Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000 (two counts);
  • Dangerous operation of motor vehicle (two counts);
  • Flight from peace officer (two counts);
  • Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code (two counts)’
  • Cultivate, propagate or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling house, and;
  • Cultivate, propagate or harvest more than four cannabis plants.

The accused was sent to bail court in Sudbury and remains in custody with a scheduled bail hearing on June 5.

Gaston Pierre Gagnon, 67, of Etobicoke, who was also wanted on a warrant from this jurisdiction, has been charged with:

  • Fail to attend court;
  • Cultivate, propagate or harvest any cannabis plant at a place that is not their dwelling house, and;
  • Cultivate, propagate or harvest more than four cannabis plants.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on Aug. 10.

Brandy Shawanda, 25, of Whitefish Lake First Nation has been charged with:

  • Failure to comply with Release Order;
  • Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000, and;
  • Having liquor in open container in other than licenced premises, residence or private place.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on Aug. 10.

Paul Belanger, 31, of Sudbury has been charged with:

  • Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000;
  • Failure to comply with release order;
  • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, and;
  • Driving while under suspension.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola on Aug. 10.

The Manitoulin OPP is requesting that anyone who has had property stolen in the month of May in the Nairn area that has not yet been recovered, to come forward in an attempt to identify some of the involved property. Contact the Manitoulin OPP (1-888-310-1122).