OPP, SQ and Mirabel Police make arrests

From: Criminal Investigation Branch

HAWKESBURY, ON, Feb. 4 /CNW/ - Today, February 3, 2010 , the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Mirabel Police and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) executed search warrants in Mirabel, Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec and Hawkesbury, Ontario in relation to several serious criminal offences.

Between November 26, 2009 and January 6, 2010 , police investigated armed robberies, home invasions and break and enters that involved violence.

To solve these serious incidents, the SQ, Mirabel Police and the OPP launched a joint investigation into several suspects under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch. As a result, four (4) people were arrested and are being held on numerous charges.

The charges are in relation to:

    
    1)  A break-in that occurred between November 26 and 27, 2009 at
        Stephanie's Restaurant, located on Highway 34 in Champlain Township,
        Ontario in which an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
    2)  A home invasion that occurred on November 30, 2009 at a residence in
        Vankleek Hill, Ontario in which the home owner was assaulted by
        masked suspects. Jewellery and cash were stolen.
    3)  A home invasion in Mirabel, Québec on December 14, 2009 in which a
        female resident was bound and a safe containing cash was taken.
    4)  A robbery on December 16, 2009 where the victim was lured to a
        residence in Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec. The victim was bound, driven
        from the scene and left abandoned in his vehicle, after the suspects
        stole an undisclosed amount of cash.
    5)  An armed robbery at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) in
        Hawkesbury that occurred on December 23, 2009. The armed suspects
        fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.

    and

    6)  A break and enter that occurred at a residence in Lachute, Québec in
        which Sûreté du Québec (SQ) officers surprised the suspects,
        apprehending two of them.

    Charged with robbery are:

    1.  Martin PAQUIN-LAROCQUE, 19 of Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec
    2.  Vincent MAURICE, 18 of Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec
    3.  Josee MAURICE, 36 of Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec
    4.  France MAURICE, 39 of Hawkesbury Township, Ontario and
    5.  Marcel LAROCQUE, 52 of Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec
    And
    6.  Robert ST-JEAN, 35 of Brownsburg-Chatham, Quebec was charged in
        relation to the break and enter in Lachute, Quebec with break and
        enter. He appeared in St-Jerome, Quebec in January, 2010 and pled
        guilty to the charge.
    

Paquin-Larocque, Maurice, Maurice, Maurice and Larocque will appear in L'Orignal court today.

An arrest warrant is outstanding for:

1. Pascal NORMAND, 32 of Lachute, Quebec for robbery.

NORMAND is considered dangerous. If observed do not approach. Call your local police service immediately.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Mirabel Police and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) worked diligently to solve these crimes. The investigation is continuing. Further charges are pending.

For further information: Sgt. Kristine Rae, [phone] cell, www.opp.ca, Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/OPP_News