NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The Orillia detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating two related incidents, a robbery and an assault with a weapon, which occurred overnight in the City of Orillia.
On Nov. 26, 2020 shortly after 2 a.m., officers received information that a convenience store on Westmount Road had been robbed and that a lone male had fled the store after receiving a small amount of Canadian currency and lottery tickets. A search for the suspect was conducted by OPP Canine (K9) but the suspect was not located.
Approximately two hours later, officers received a call for assistance to a parking lot on Colborne Street where a male was located suffering from serious injuries as a result of an assault with a weapon. As the male was being assisted by County of Simcoe Paramedic Services (CSPS), police identified the victim as being the suspect from the earlier robbery.
The 25-year-old male from Barrie was subsequently charged with:
- Robbery with a weapon, contrary to Section 344(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
- Fail to comply with probation order, contrary to Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
The accused was released at hospital on a Form 10 Undertaking and is set to appear on Jan. 19, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
Meanwhile, officers continued to investigate the assault and again utilized OPP K9 to assist in the search. The suspect was subsequently identified but was not located overnight.
The investigation was continued by the Orillia Crime Unit and at approximately 1:25 p.m., members of the Orillia Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) located and arrested the suspect near downtown Orillia. The investigation into this incident is ongoing and further information will be released when available.
As a result of this investigation, James Fraser, age 21, of Orillia, has been charged with:
- Aggravated assault, contrary to Section 268 of the Criminal Code
- Possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to Section 88 of the Criminal Code
- Carrying concealed weapon, contrary to Section 90 of the Criminal Code
- Common nuisance - endanger life, contrary to Section 180(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Five counts of fail to comply with probation, contrary to Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
The accused was held in custody and is set to appear next on Dec. 9, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie.
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