130 charges laid following Tay Township police pursuit

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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March 29 update:
OPP investigators have removed a quantity of Illegal drugs and firearms from our community as a result of the continued investigation using search warrants into this incident. Officers have seized a fully loaded 45 calibre handgun, a fully loaded sawed off 12 gauge shotgun, two rifles and a crossbow along with a quantity of ammunition. Also seized was a quantity of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and Canadian currency along with associated drug paraphernalia.

This investigation has resulted in six persons being arrested and charged with the following offences.

Misty Duplantie, 28 years of French River; Nicole Pamela Quarasma, 27 years of Barrie; Matthew Maillet, 32 years of Elliot Lake; and three persons listed further below have additional charges:

• Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition (four counts)
• Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm (two counts)
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm (four counts)
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm (four counts)
• Possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime (four counts) all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada

And further:

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine
• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - heroin
• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking - opioid all contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

The following three involved persons also face the noted further charges in relation to this investigation.

Valter Francisco Almeida, 36 years of York, Ont., has additionally been charged with:

• Breach of recognizance contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada

Shawna-Lee Rae, 33 years of Collingwood, has additionally been charged with:  

• Failure to comply with an undertaking contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada

Bryan Joseph James Doucette, 38 years of Collingwood, has additionally been charged with:

• Failure to comply with an undertaking
• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada

The six accused persons remain in custody to appear before a virtual bail court at a future date and before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland at a future date.

Original March 25 release:
On March 24, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., an officer of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was on patrol in the area of Highway 12 at Rosemount Road in the Township of Tay when he observed a vehicle travelling westbound toward the Town of Midland in an erratic manner at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted the stop the vehicle which continued driving dangerously and a pursuit was initiated.

After unsuccessfully deploying a spike belt, the decision was made to terminate the pursuit for safety reason. Officers continued to search for the suspect vehicle and with the help of the public, it was located at a residence in Midland.

Further investigation has resulted in several arrests. The Southern Georgian Bay Crime Unit and the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) continue to investigate. Further details will be released as they become available. Anyone who may have information about this incident or involved person(s) including dash cam footage is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or [email protected].

To provide information anonymously please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit your information online. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka on Twitter or Facebook. 

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