canadian tire

Police have not identified the male suspect in the Canadian Tire stand off, and they don’t know where the person is.

Timmins Police’s Kate Cantin says they went into the building and didn’t see anybody, and believe the suspect got away before the perimeter was established.

The perimeter has now been lifted, and Highway 101 opened up earlier Wednesday evening.

The suspect targeted firearms, and police say he was able to take some.  It’s not known just how much however.

Timmins Police have re-taken the reigns on the investigation from the OPP.  The focus of the investigation, according to Cantin, is the break and enter, and the firearm theft.

Police are appealing to the public to call them if they have any information.

They also advise that the public take precautions, and report any suspicious activity to police.

Police released the following to media shortly before 11pm Wednesday night:

“At approximately 4:30 a.m. on June 17, 2015, police received a call regarding a Break & Enter at Canadian Tire on Riverside Drive in Timmins. Upon entering the store, officers determined that firearms had been taken. At that point, Canadian Tire, as well as several surrounding stores was evacuated.

A perimeter was established and the Ontario Provincial Police Emergency Response Team, Tactical and Rescue Unit, Aerial Unit, and Canine Unit arrived on scene. At that time, police had reason to believe there was an armed individual inside Canadian Tire.

All measures were taken to ensure public and officer safety. The area was contained and Hwy 101 was closed to traffic.

During the early evening hours of June 17, the OPP’s Tactical and Rescue Unit conducted a search of Canadian Tire. Police can confirm that no suspects or individuals were located inside the building. The OPP’s units attended the scene for tactical response to Canadian Tire, therefore once the building was cleared; the investigation was turned over to the Timmins Police Service.

It is likely that the individual exited the building at the early stages, before police were able to establish containment of the Canadian Tire building.

This incident is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Section of the Timmins Police Service as a Break & Enter and theft of firearms.

At this time, the perimeter has been lifted as police do not believe that the suspect is in the containment area any longer. The public is advised as always to continue to take precautions and report any suspicious activity to police.

At this time we thank the OPP’s Tactical and Rescue Unit, Canine Unit, Aerial Unit, Emergency Response Team, as well as Timmins Emergency Response paramedics who were on scene throughout the incident.

For information on businesses re-opening, residents should call the particular businesses. Businesses affected by today’s incident were Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Penningtons, Michaels, Marks, and the Esso Truck Stop.

Anyone having any information regarding this incident is asked to call the Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201. Anyone who observes any suspicious activity or persons is advised to call 9-1-1.”

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*ORIGINAL STORY*

Police personnel are on scene at the Canadian Tire on Riverside Drive, where an armed individual is contained inside the building.

Police responded to a break enter call at the building on the west side of town around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Home Depot and Canadian Tire, and the Essp Truck Stop have been evacuated, and Highway 101 is closed heading West at the Walmart and heading East at Tormont.

Police have expanded the perimeter for safety reasons.  Helicopters have landed at the Esso Truck Stop and canine units are scouring the area.

Police are also asking people to refrain from using social media to post pictures and videos, as it could put their officers in danger. Mayor Steve Black echoed their comments.

“Please refrain from posting photos of officers at the Canadian Tire situation. I would also respectfully ask that you not post updates regarding police resources and associated on site strategies & tactics until the situation has been resolved.

I realize that journalistic freedoms entitles you too, however, I would hope that public and emergency service personnel safety would trump and better judgment would take precedence. The news can be shared without details or photos that jeopardize safety.”

Keep refreshing for updates.

UPDATE 12:30pm: The OPP say that Highway 101 is now closed west of Shirley Street.  They released the following in a news release:

The South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been called to assist the Timmins Police Service with a break and enter that occurred on June 17, 2015 at 4:20 a.m. at the Canadian Tire store located on Riverside Drive in Timmins.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the Timmins Police Service Emergency Response Team (ERT) the Timmins Police Service Criminal Investigations Division (CID), the North East Region OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), the North East Region OPP Canine Unit, OPP Aviation Services, the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) and uniformed officers are all on scene conducting the investigation.

The perimeter around the scene has been expanded for public safety reasons. The public may access Timmins by the following routes.  Highway 101 west has been closed at Shirley Street and a detour has been set up at that location.  For motorists traveling east on Highway 101 west, a detour has been set up at Jaguar Road and Sandy Falls Road.

This is an ongoing investigation.  The OPP and the Timmins Police Service are committed to public safety and are asking everyone to stay away from the area.

Anyone seeing any suspicious activity or who has information concerning this case is advised to call 911 immediately.

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UPDATE 2:45 p.m: Timmins Police Inspector, Mike McGinn is providing more details on the standoff at Canadian Tire.

“Employees arrived to check the building and were aware of an intruder inside the building and officers arrived shortly after.  We’ve been able to view the target and fire arms have been removed.  As a result there is a public safety concern which is why we created the perimeter and expanded the perimeter.  The OPP tactical unit is taking over the search of the building and no shots have been fired.”

The perimeter officially stretches out beyond the line of sight of high powered riffles.

Police confirm one person is inside and know the person has a long gun.  They don’t know the identity on the person and believe the person is still in perimeter.

McGinn also explain they don’t have the resources to tackle this type of situation.  When they realized there was a firearm they called for assistance.

Officers are also canvasing houses by government road and talking to nearby residents.

He also reiterated there’s no connection as of yet to the people suspected of killing a Toronto man.

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UPDATE: 8:20pm: Timmins Police have taken down the barricades to open Highway 101.  They add the situation is not over as of yet, but they have shrunk the perimeter.