NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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Barrie Police Marine Unit spotted some unruly and suspicious behaviour on shore Johnston's Beach while on the patrol in the Bay on Sunday evening and called for assistance from land officers to investigate further.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017 shortly after 5 p.m., officers on the Barrie Police Marine Unit spotted two males at Johnston's Beach, located at 2 Johnston Street in the City of Barrie, who were visibly drinking alcohol and causing a disturbance, drawing attention from other people enjoying the beach area.
The officers also observed one of the males holding a duck by its neck and taking a picture with it. Assistance was requested by officers on land to investigate the incident further and the Marine Unit floated close by keeping an eye on the pair. Patrons from the beach had also approached the males as their behaviour was inappropriate and unsettling.
Upon police arrival to Johnston's Beach the two males were located. The first male identified himself to police with a false last name and was subsequently arrested for obstruct peace officer.
Once his real name was confirmed, police learned he was wanted on multiple warrants from Thunder Bay as well as a condition not to consume alcohol from a previous recognizance. The 34-year-old Barrie man was charged with obstruct peace officer, cruelty to animals and fail to comply with recognizance. He was held at the Barrie Police Service awaiting a bail hearing Monday morning to answer to his charges.
The duck was not injured in the incident.
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