FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wiikwemkoong, ON  — November 20, 2025 — On the evening of November 19, 2025, members of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) conducted two separate ATV-related investigations resulting in multiple criminal charges.

At 7:51 p.m., WTPS officers conducted a traffic stop on an ATV operated by an adult female with a young passenger. During the investigation, officers determined the driver was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle due to a prior Criminal Code conviction. The driver was arrested, and a subsequent search led to the seizure of fentanyl and cocaine, individually packaged for trafficking, along with Canadian currency.

A 31-year-old female from Wiikwemkoong has been charged with:

  • Drive Disqualified
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl and Cocaine)
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

She also received multiple provincial offence notices under the Highway Traffic Act, Compulsory Motor Vehicle Act, and Off-Road Vehicle Act. The ATV was impounded for 45 days. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in January 2026.

Later that evening, at approximately 10:27 p.m., officers attempted a traffic stop on another ATV in the Rabbit Island Road area. The driver failed to stop and fled into a wooded area. With assistance from Wikwemikong Security, officers monitored the ATV until it came to rest at a residence. As officers approached, the male driver fled on foot.

With coordinated support from Wikwemikong Security, the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), and OPP Canine Unit, the male was located in a bush area and taken into custody with minor injuries. He was transported to hospital, assessed, and released.

A 27-year-old male from Wiikwemkoong has been charged with:

  • Flight from Police
  • Dangerous Operation
  • Mischief Over $5,000
  • Resist Arrest

He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in January 2026.

“Community safety is our top priority, and we have zero tolerance for criminal activity that endangers lives,” said Ron Gignac, Chief of Police, WTPS. “The recent incidents highlight the serious risks associated with reckless ATV operation. These actions endanger not only the drivers but also passengers and the community. We urge everyone to prioritize safety and follow the laws to prevent tragedies and keep our roads and trails safe.”

The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service reminds the public that information can be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers or submitted online through the WTPS Online Reporting System at wtps.ca.