Blind River, Ont., roommates charged with taking car without consent

The first impaired driving charge of the year for Ontario Provincial Police in East Algoma involved a missing vehicle and roommates.

Police in Blind River were alerted New Year's Day at 1 p.m. that a vehicle had been stolen from a parking lot on West Street sometime after 4 p.m. the previous day.

"The investigation revealed two roommates had taken the car keys from the owner's pants pocket," OPP said in a news release Friday."

Police spotted the stolen back car around 2 p.m. on Highway 17 heading east toward Blind River.

"A traffic stop was initiated on Causley Street, where both the driver and passenger were arrested," police said.

"During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had consumed an intoxicating substance. Further testing was then conducted by a drug recognition expert from the Mississauga First Nation Police Service."

The first suspect, age 60, has been charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, driving without a licence and driving while impaired by drugs.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Feb. 6.

The passenger, age 40, was charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent.

The second accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on March 6.