Suspect In Timmins' Standoff Not In Store; Remains At Large

Angela Gemmill, with files from Mark Pare

A day-long standoff in Timmins ended when city police discovered their suspect had apparently fled the building before officers even arrived on scene.

It was early yesterday morning when the alarm sounded at the Canadian Tire store on Riverside Drive.

Employees found an intruder inside and called police.

Officers evacuated neighbouring buildings and set up a perimeter, because it was believed the suspect was holed up with at least one high-powered gun.

No one was found inside when police finally entered the store.

Kate Cantin with Timmins Police Service provided an update to media late last night.

She says investigators believe the suspect likely left the store before officers were able to contain the building earlier in the day.

The suspect has not been identified, but Cantin did say it is a man.

She says the suspect took several firearms from the Canadian Tire.

He remains at large, and police are asking the public to report any suspicious activity, although police do not believe the suspect is in the Timmins area any longer.

This incident is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division and the Forensic Identification Section of Timmins Police, as a Break and Enter and Theft of firearms.

The stand-off required the resources of the O-P-P Tactical and Rescue Unit, the Canine Unit, the Aerial Unit and the Emergency Response Team.

Anyone with details on the case should contact Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201.

There had been speculation the suspect was somehow connected to an investigation from Toronto, however police did not address that.