According to the North Bay Police Service, federal offender Marc Gauthier has been apprehended.
"The latest update received this morning indicates Marc Gauthier was recently arrested in Quebec City, and is now in custody. Police would like to thank the public for any information that was received during the investigation," states a news release from NBPS early Monday.
According to the Canadian Press, Quebec City police (SPVQ) say 54-year-old Marc Gauthier was in possession of a loaded prohibited firearm when he was arrested.
The SPVQ told the Canadian Press that they had been informed that the fugitive was in Quebec City. He was arrested by police in Old Quebec.
Gauthier was due to appear in court on Monday charged with possession of a firearm. He is then expected to be returned to Ontario for further criminal court proceedings.
Gauthier was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and eluded capture by the police in North Bay in the midst of a traffic stop on July 17. The wanted man was pulled over on Fisher Street in North Bay around 4 p.m. on Monday, July 17. NBPS says Gauthier dashed from the vehicle and dove into Chippewa Creek.
"Gauthier, who was a passenger in the vehicle, immediately exited the vehicle and jumped into the creek," stated NBPS Inspector Jeff Warner during a media conference on Tuesday, July 18. "Officers surrounded the heavily wooded area on both sides of the creek between Fisher Street and Memorial Gardens in an effort to prevent his escape. A search in that immediate area met with negative results."
According to the OPP, the driver of the vehicle, Connie Gauthier, 49, from Parry Sound, was arrested and charged with:
- Dangerous operation
- Flight from peace officer
- Dangerous operation
- Flight from peace officer
Connie Gauthier was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on August 15, in North Bay.
"My understanding is they do not have a connection to North Bay, our information is he has no family here or friends here," said Warner. "My belief is they were probably just passing through. I believe the two of them are suspects in an armed robbery in the Orillia area so my guess is they were just passing through."
On July 7, OPP in Orillia notified the public that Gauthier had broken his statutory release and police say he is connected to an armed robbery in Alliston.
Police urged the public to remain vigilant as Gauthier's whereabouts were unclear in the days following his escape in North Bay.
"Members of the public continue to assist in this search by calling in potential sightings of Gauthier to police," NBPS spokesperson David Woolley said late last week. "We thank those members of the public for their vigilance. While we have received reports of several potential sightings over the last few days, at this time, none have resulted in the location of Gauthier."
Gauthier is serving a 41-year, four-month, and 18-day sentence for possession of a weapon, robbery (x16), armed robbery (x16), robbery using a firearm (x8), possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, prohibited weapon in vehicle, pointing a firearm, forcible confinement, discharge firearm-cause bodily harm, possession of explosive substance, possess weapon for dangerous purpose, disguise with intent, escape lawful custody, assault, break and enter (x2), theft (x2), possession of property obtained by crime (x4), possession of scheduled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x2).
— With files from The Canadian Press and Chris Dawson
