UPDATE (PICTURES): Investigation into Canadian Tire stand off continues

Timmins Police say they had some technical difficulties, but late Thursday evening, sent out pictures of the incident inside Canadian Tire.

Police say they’ve received some tips as well, and are investigating the incident as a break, enter and theft.

It’s not known where the man is, or who he is.

Police responded to an alarm call early Wednesday morning.  What came next was a near 18 hour ordeal for hundreds of officers from around the province, as well as the approximately 45,000 people that live in the community.

The full release below:

The Timmins Police Service continues its investigation into the June 17, 2015 investigation of break and enter at the Canadian Tire Store, located at 2199 Riverside Drive.

An employee attended at the store in response to the alarm. Upon entering the building the employee could hear the suspect in the building. Timmins Police Service were notified at 4:16 a.m. with the initial officers arriving at approximately 4:20 a.m.

The initial responding officers conducted a search where it was discovered that the firearms display had been breached and an unknown quantity of weapons were missing. The officers then evacuated the building and set up containment around the perimeter of the building.

Based on information from the building alarm company, there was no indication that the suspect had exited the building. This information at this point led officers to believe the suspect was armed and still within the building. The Timmins Police Service Emergency Response Team was activated and a command post set up.

With the assistance of the business owner, the Timmins Police Service incident commander and Emergency Response Team commander were able to remotely view security video footage. The footage indicated that a single male subject entered the store which activated the building’s alarm. Once inside, the suspect immediately attended at the firearms display; breached the display and gained access to the firearms. The video displayed the suspect carrying a backpack with what appeared to be the barrels of two long guns visible. There was no footage which showed the suspect exiting the building.

With this information it was determined that additional resources were required and a request for the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) was made. The tactical response to the incident was turned over the Ontario Provincial Police Incident Commander at 9:30 a.m. Using the information available, the OPP commander requested a larger evacuation area which included the diverting of traffic off of Riverside Drive. Given the size of the Canadian Tire Store building, the OPP Incident Commander also requested additional resources, including an unmanned aerial camera, a tactical canine, as well as addition TRU officers, which would permit the safe and effective securing of the contained area. Many of the additional resources were flown to Timmins from various points in the province.

The building and containment area search was completed by OPP TRU officers at approximately 8:00 p.m. with no suspect being located. Tactical control of the incident was then transferred back to the Timmins Police Service at approximately 8:14 p.m. The matter remains under Timmins Police Service jurisdiction and is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Section.

Investigators have obtained still pictures of the suspect while inside of the building. The suspect appears as being a male, with dark hair and thin build. He is wearing jeans, a dark top, and his hiding his face with a dark and white balaclava. He is carrying a navy school bag. At this point the identity of the suspect is unknown, and he remains at large.

The Timmins Police Service is requesting that anyone with information which may assist in the identification of the suspect and/or recovery of the stolen property are requested to call the Timmins Police Service Criminal Investigations Section at 705-264-1201, or Crime Stoppers at 705-268-8477.

View our coverage of Wednesday’s stand off HERE.