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Standoff at Couchiching ends peacefully
Wednesday, 5 November 2008 - 2:18pm
He was remanded into custody pending a show cause hearing, police said.
“During the initial stages of the police investigation, police identified the male suspect was inside his residence,” Fort Frances OPP Cst. Anne McCoy noted in a press release.
“Once contact was made with the male, [he] surrendered to police without incident and the investigation is continuing,” she added.
Treaty #3 Police, wearing army green clothing and with camouflaged faces, could be seen leaving the scene around 1 p.m. following the departure of a police convoy.
Neighbouring residents, who reported seeing a helicopter flying over the area beginning around 4 p.m. on Monday, watched the drama unfold.
“I haven’t heard nothing,” said one resident as police left the scene.
He added rumours were flying about the what was going on, but that no one local knew for sure.
Another resident said it was quite the show Monday evening as police cordoned off the area.
“It must have cost somebody a lot of money to bring all that in here,” he said of the helicopter, officers, and police dogs, which all were present at different times during the standoff.
“The primary object for police during the investigation was the safe apprehension of the suspect,” the press release stated.
“Treaty #3 Police would like to thank any residents of Couchiching First Nations who were inconvenienced during the incident,” it added.
The Northwest Region OPP Emergency Response Team and Northwest Region OPP Crime Unit also were on the scene to assist Treaty #3 Police.
By Paige Desmond and Jessica George, Staff writers
A 20-hour standoff on Couchiching ended peacefully early yesterday afternoon with the arrest of a man who had barricaded himself in his home on the 5-Mile Dock Road.
Theodore Bruyere, 51, of Couchiching was charged with three counts of assault and possession of a firearm while prohibited.
“During the initial stages of the police investigation, police identified the male suspect was inside his residence,” Fort Frances OPP Cst. Anne McCoy noted in a press release.
“Once contact was made with the male, [he] surrendered to police without incident and the investigation is continuing,” she added.
Treaty #3 Police, wearing army green clothing and with camouflaged faces, could be seen leaving the scene around 1 p.m. following the departure of a police convoy.
Neighbouring residents, who reported seeing a helicopter flying over the area beginning around 4 p.m. on Monday, watched the drama unfold.
“I haven’t heard nothing,” said one resident as police left the scene.
He added rumours were flying about the what was going on, but that no one local knew for sure.
Another resident said it was quite the show Monday evening as police cordoned off the area.
“It must have cost somebody a lot of money to bring all that in here,” he said of the helicopter, officers, and police dogs, which all were present at different times during the standoff.
“The primary object for police during the investigation was the safe apprehension of the suspect,” the press release stated.
“Treaty #3 Police would like to thank any residents of Couchiching First Nations who were inconvenienced during the incident,” it added.
The Northwest Region OPP Emergency Response Team and Northwest Region OPP Crime Unit also were on the scene to assist Treaty #3 Police.
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Stand-off at Couchiching
I was on scene at the 5-mile dock area and I am outraged at these alleged reports. I questioned a number of attendng officers who could not confirm that the male had fire arms in his possesion, only that there were firearms in the home that belonged to the residents' not the suspect. There was never a struggle on behalf of the suspect. He turned himself in quietly. I attended the scene until 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The officers did not attempt to knock on the door to question the suspect, and came to an outrageous conclusion when he did not answer the phone. I wouldn't answer the telephone belonging to someone else either. He was merely staying at the house for a short period visiting. The officers had no idea to whom the house belonged to or where the residents actually were at the time. I believe an aopology to the family is in order for the humiliation and emabarassment this situation caused them. A domestic dispute took place between ex spouses - an event I am certain we have all witnessed a time or two before. That's all it was to begin with and look where it has gone now. As an immediate family member, I am disgusted with the way this has been blown out of proportion by individuals in this community. Let's hope in the future should any of us experience similar events that we don't have to suffer the same consiquences.
5-Mile incident
I am grateful that someone else is also speaking out on behalf of the family. I agree that w have all benn witness at one time or another to a dispute between exes. I cannot sympathize enough with the family and how they must be feeling about this. This is not something that is easuly shrugged off and ignored. This "misundestanding" is going to greatly affect their lives and haunt them for sometime to come. We've seen in previous matters how law enforcement individuals have made a mountain out of an ant hill to justify their actions. I spoke to the alleged victim who is mortified that her private life has been put under the microscope for public speculation. The children of this family have also been questioned to no end by random individuals. This is a disgrace to know that they couldn't identify the actual home owner couldn't confirm if the suspect did infact have firearms, they just assumed. To add insult to injury, the firearms are heirlooms and locked/registered appropriately. Way to go everyone, I hope we all feel like idiots.
Im sorry but if it was a 20
Im sorry but if it was a 20 HOUR stand off something was up. ya i can see it being a big misunderstanding if it was like an hour, but almost a day?
The police dont nessisarily tell the public everything, there could be alot that everyone doesnt know, that the suspect/victim isnt saying either.
I wasn't there, I don't even live in town anymore, so I don't no what happened but it normal Fort Frances reaction that it was blown out of proportion. Who knows, just saying.