Police in Sault Ste. Marie arrest two in theft of $800K of materials from Algoma Steel

Two people are facing charges in connection with a theft of more than $800,000 worth of materials from Algoma Steel in SaultSte. Marie.

Police say they got a complaint from the company Aug. 27, and they made the arrests the next day, finding the suspects along the fence line of the company property.

"A subsequent search found the first accused to be in possession of tools used to steal the material, pieces of the stolen material, receipts from having sold the stolen material, and approximately 29 grams of suspected cocaine," police said in a news release.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service spokesman, Lincoln Louttit, says no further information is being released regarding what was taken.

"So typically we don't release what type of materials are stolen in something that's this significant to try to curb any one else from potentially trying to victimize a business with the theft. But what we can say is these are materials that are used in the daily production at Algoma Steel," said Louttit.

Two men in their 40's were arrested. One is facing 18 charges, including theft and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. The other man is facing three charges.

"The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service wants to thank Algoma Steel for its co-operation during this investigation," Chief Hugh Stevenson said in the news release.

"After Algoma Steel reported significant thefts on their property, our team finalized the investigation and apprehended the two suspects on-site, preventing what was likely another theft."