Bail Contested for Man Charged in Howdenvale Break-Ins
Crown is seeking detention for Darren Ritchie, 33, arrested May 5 in connection with the April 21 Howdenvale break-ins that prompted a large-scale OPP search.
The Crown is opposing bail for the man charged in connection with the April 21 break-ins in Howdenvale that prompted a large-scale OPP search of the South Bruce Peninsula community.
Darren Ritchie, 33, of no fixed address, appeared by video before the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on May 14.
Crown counsel Ms. Mehta told the court the Crown is seeking a detention order under section 524 of the Criminal Code and characterized the matter as a reverse onus situation, meaning Ritchie must show why his detention is not justified rather than the Crown showing why it is.
Defence counsel Sophia Newbould requested a brief recess to confer with her client. On returning, Newbould told the court Ritchie has secured a treatment bed and that she needs to speak with program staff to arrange his admission “very soon.”
The matter was adjourned to May 19, to be spoken to by video.
OPP were called to a possible break-in in progress on Howdenvale Road at about 2:03 p.m. on April 21. Officers arriving on scene found that multiple homes in the area had been entered, prompting a search involving the OPP Aviation Unit, Canine Unit and Emergency Response Team.
During the search, officers recovered a pickup truck that had been reported stolen earlier from Wiarton. The suspect remained outstanding at the time.
Ritchie was arrested two weeks later, on May 5, at an address on 8th Street in Owen Sound by officers with the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Unit.
He faces 10 charges: break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, mischief over $5,000, theft under $5,000, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, careless use of a firearm or weapon, fail to comply with an undertaking, and fail to comply with a probation order.
The charges have not been tested in court. Ritchie remains in custody.
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