On June 14, 2024 at 7:30 AM, members of the Sarnia Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) and SPS Criminal Investigations Division (CID) executed two search warrants in central Sarnia. The origin of this investigation was a theft complaint from a local retailer that had been received by the Community Crime Unit (CCU).
The precipitating CCU investigation identified two suspects responsible for a series of high value retail thefts. The investigation was subsequently assumed by the SPS Criminal Investigations Division, who obtained warrants to search two locations in order to recover stolen property and other offence related evidence. Both warrants were executed on Friday June 14th at 7:30am, one on Elgin Street and the other on Durand Street.
As a result of this theft investigation, the following charges have been laid:
50 year old suspect of Sarnia, has been charged with:
· Theft under $5000 X 2
· Arrested and released with an upcoming court date
40 years old suspect of Sarnia,
· Theft under $5000 X 3
· Currently wanted by the SPS (warrant requested)
Anyone with information relating the whereabouts of Larocque is invited to contact the Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers, at 519-332-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.p3tips.com/.
Illegal Firearm and Additional Charges
While executing the search warrant on Durand Street, officers discovered a suspect inside the residence. At that time he was out on release for drug trafficking offences in Niagara. Those bail conditions included a requirement to be at his residence in St. Catherines from 10pm to 6am, and not to possess any firearms. He attempted to frustrate the police investigation by providing a false name; however his true identity was quickly ascertained by investigators.
the suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun, $15,120 in cash, 4 grams of fentanyl, 23 grams of methamphetamine and 4 grams of cocaine
the 27 year old suspect, was held for bail on multiple charges, including:
- Breach of release order x5
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking-cocaine
- Possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm
- Possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm contrary to a prohibition order x2
- Possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a prohibited device (13 round capacity magazine)
- Careless storage of a prohibited/restricted firearm
“Criminal activity not only transcends municipal boundaries, but also crime categories. In this case our Community Crime Unit (CCU) students were investigating a shoplifting case. That case quickly evolved into search warrants, and those warrants into the seizure of drugs, cash and yet another illegal firearm. Our officers, our CCU team, and our ongoing investments in crime analysis and analytics continue to reflect that so called “minor” crimes are increasingly connected with serious criminal activities within our community.” – SPS Chief Derek Davis