Three Blin River men charged after pointing gun at driver

Three Blind River men are facing several charges after pointing a gun at a motorist trying to exit a gas station parking lot.

Ontario Provincial Police were called to the Town of Bruce Mines on Thursday, November 21 at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Police said the victim was in a vehicle parked next to the suspect vehicle, which was carrying a driver and three passengers.

“Both vehicles reversed at the same time, at which time one of the rear passengers in the suspect vehicle made an obscene gesture towards the complainant,” OPP said.

“The passenger then produced a handgun, loaded the magazine and pointed the gun at the complainant.”

The suspect vehicle was seen traveling westbound on Highway 17.

Police caught the incident on the highway east of Sault Street. Marie.

When the vehicle was pulled over, the three people inside were detained.

“A subsequent search uncovered a firearm concealed under the hood of the vehicle, as well as a magazine and multiple rounds of ammunition,” OPP said.

Police said they also found drugs in the vehicle, including more than seven grams of suspected cocaine, more than seven suspected fentanyl pills, more than seven suspected percocet pills, more than 25 suspected clonazepam tablets and more than 280 suspected quetiapine pills. The OPP estimates the street value at over $2,600.

Joseph Day, 35, of Blind River, was charged with:

• Violation of firearms regulations – carrying a firearm or restricted weapon
• pointing a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.
• Having knowledge about possession of unlicensed weapons
• Possession of a firearm without permission
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
• Motor vehicle occupant knowing he had a firearm
• Possession of prohibited weapons or restricted firearms with ammunition
• Possession of firearm knowing serial number falsified
• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a Prohibition Order
• Possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
• Possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking in opioids (other than heroin) – two offenses
• Possession of an Annex IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Failure to comply with probation order – two counts.

Keegan Day, 33, of Blind River, was charged with:

• Violation of firearms regulations – carrying a firearm or restricted weapon
• Possession of a firearm without permission
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.
• Having knowledge about possession of unlicensed weapons
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
• Motor vehicle occupant knowing he had a firearm
• Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
• Possession of firearm knowing serial number falsified
• Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a restraining order
• Possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
• Having a plan to use a substance—opioids (other than heroin)
• Possession of an Annex IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Having a program regarding substance-other drugs
• Failure to comply with commitment

Lindsay Rietze, 28, of Blind River, was charged with:

• Violation of firearms regulations – carrying a firearm or restricted weapon
• Possession of a firearm without permission
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.
• Having knowledge about possession of unlicensed weapons
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
• Motor vehicle occupant knowing he had a firearm
• Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
• Possession of firearm knowing serial number falsified
• Possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
• Possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking in opioids (other than heroin) – two offenses
• Possession of an Annex IV substance for the purpose of trafficking
• Drive or boat with readily available marijuana
• Failure to surrender insurance card
• Colored coating that hides the interior

None of the allegations have been tested in court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.