PICKLE LAKE – On April 1, at approximately 9:40pm, officers of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Pickle Lake Detachment responded to a report of two tractor-trailers on fire at a local truck yard on Highway 599 in the Township of Pickle Lake.
While attending the scene, officers observed a garage fully engulfed in flames on Highway 599.
Investigation revealed that the fires had been intentionally set and a suspect was located in the area.
As a result of the investigation, Jarel WASSAYKEESIC (21) of Mishkeegogamang First Nation has been charged with the following:
Arson – Damage to Property contrary to section 434 of the Criminal Code (3 counts)
Possession of Property obtained by Crime under $5,000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Fail to Comply with Probation Order contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code (3 counts)
Assault a Peace Officer contrary to section 270(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
He appeared before the Thunder Bay Ontario Court of Justice via audio court on April 2, 2017 and was remanded into custody. He will appear in Bail Court in Sioux Lookout on April 3, 2017.
Attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful by the Pickle Lake Fire Department. The vehicles and building burned completely.
Highway 599 was closed as a precaution until the fire was determined to be under control. The highway has since been reopened.
The Pickle Lake OPP and Sioux Lookout Crime Unit continue to investigate this incident. The Office of the Fire Marshall has been notified and will attend the area to conduct an investigation.
