Although the North Bay Police Service has received multiple tips from members of the public, none have substantiated whether wanted federal offender Marc Gauthier is still in town, nor that he has definitively left town.
Officials say the search continues for Gauthier, who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and eluded capture by the police in North Bay after jumping into Chippewa Creek in the midst of a traffic stop on July 17.
"Members of the public continue to assist in this search by calling in potential sightings of Gauthier to police," NBPS spokesperson David Woolley says. "We thank those members of the public for their vigilance. While we have received reports of several potential sightings over the last few days, at this time, none have resulted in the location of Gauthier."
Police say Gauthier should be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, do not approach, call 911.
Gauthier is described as:
- White male
- Brown hair shaved bald
- Could be cleanly shaven
- Occasionally wears eyeglasses
- Has tattoos consisting of a tombstone and heart on his left arm and a snake and skull on his right arm
- 54 years old
- Approximately 5’8” tall
- Approximately 160 lbs
- Last seen wearing jeans and a black t-shirt with a white logo on the back
On July 7, OPP in Orillia notified the public that Gauthier had broken his statutory release and police say he is connected to an armed robbery in Alliston.
Gauthier is serving a 41-year, four-month, and 18-day sentence for possession of a weapon, robbery (x16), armed robbery (x16), robbery using a firearm (x8), possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, prohibited weapon in vehicle, pointing a firearm, forcible confinement, discharge firearm-cause bodily harm, possession of explosive substance, possess weapon for dangerous purpose, disguise with intent, escape lawful custody, assault, break and enter (x2), theft (x2), possession of property obtained by crime (x4), possession of scheduled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x2).
"We continue to encourage the public to practice caution while going about their daily activities," Woolley adds. "It is recommended that you be aware of your surroundings and keep vehicles and buildings locked as a precaution."
The wanted man was pulled over in a traffic stop on Fisher Street in North Bay around 4 p.m. on Monday, July 17. NBPS says Gauthier dashed from the vehicle and dove into Chippewa Creek.
"Gauthier, who was a passenger in the vehicle, immediately exited the vehicle and jumped into the creek," stated NBPS Inspector Jeff Warner during a media conference on Tuesday, July 18. "Officers surrounded the heavily wooded area on both sides of the creek between Fisher Street and Memorial Gardens in an effort to prevent his escape. A search in that immediate area met with negative results."
Gauthier is known to frequent Barrie, Parry Sound, and northwestern Quebec.
"My understanding is they do not have a connection to North Bay, our information is he has no family here or friends here," said Warner. "My belief is they were probably just passing through. I believe the two of them are suspects in an armed robbery in the Orillia area so my guess is they were just passing through."
On July 6, the CIBC on Laclie Street in Orillia was robbed. The next day, police released surveillance footage of the suspect.
A woman who was in the vehicle with Gauthier was taken into custody by the OPP and the vehicle was seized.
If you have information that could lead to the location of Gauthier, please call the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555 and press 9 to speak with an officer. If you wish to stay anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.nearnorthcrimestoppers.com.
With files from Chris Dawson
