Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested, Weapons and Drugs Seized

The North Bay Police Service (NBPS) Street Crime Unit (SCU) has arrested a Mississauga man, who is now facing multiple drug and weapons charges following an armed robbery outside a retailer in the 300 block of Lakeshore.

On December 7, the Patrol Section responded to a call, where the accused confronted a victim, who is known to him, outside a retailer in the 300 block of Lakeshore. Following an altercation, the accused brandished a weapon and robbed the victim, before fleeing the area. Further investigation led NBPS to a residence in the 300 block of Lakeshore, where, on December 13, the accused was arrested during the execution of a search warrant, with support from the NBPS Emergency Response Team (ERT), and Ontario Provincial Police Tactical Response Unit (TRU). The arrest was carried out without incident, and the search resulted in the seizure of a weapon and controlled substances.

The accused, Taidgh Downey, 20-year-old, male, of Mississauga, Ontario, has been charged with:

• Robbery with Violence
• Firearm Use While Committing and Offence
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon
• Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking (Crack Cocaine)
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking (Crystal Methamphetamine)
• Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

Subsequent search led to the seizure of the following items:

• $1,660 in Canadian Currency
• Glock-style BB Pistol
• Controlled substances with an estimated street value of $11,000, including:
  • 27 grams Crystal Methamphetamine
  • 1 gram Fentanyl
  • 26 grams of Cocaine
  • 40 grams of Crack Cocaine

“Great work by our SCU investigators, who located the accused and collaborated closely with Patrol, ERT, and our OPP policing partners," says Insp. McFarlane. "The arrest was carried out safely and without incident, preventing drugs from reaching our streets and seizing a weapon that posed a threat to community safety."

The accused was arrested and held in custody pending a bail hearing.