The Orillia OPP responded to three separate incidents where weapons were involved, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and numerous Criminal Code charges.
On October 24, 2023, just after 11 a.m., officers from Orillia OPP responded to reports of a male walking on Barrie Road near Memorial Avenue in the City of Orillia with a firearm in his waist band. Officers attended the area and located a male matching the description. He was with another male party. Officers observed what they believed to be firearm. Officers placed both parties under arrest and continued the investigation. It was later found; the flare gun was altered to operate as a legitimate firearm.
As a result of this investigation two male parties have been charged.
David Gurman, 35-year-old of the City of Orillia, has been charged with:
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance- Cocaine c
Jake Marcellus, 24-year-old of the City of Orillia has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance- Cocaine
Both accused parties were held in custody for a bail hearing.
Later, at approximately 4 p.m., officers from Orillia OPP received numerous reports of a male party with a chainsaw on Mount Sait Louis Road, near Teanaustaye Drive in Oro-Medonte township. The information received was the male party was using the chainsaw to cause damage to his motor vehicle and a nearby residence. Officers attended and were able to successfully gain control and arrest the male party.
As a result, Steven Newdick 40-year-old, of Cedar Point has been charged with:
- Break and enter a place- with intent to commit indictable offence
- Mischief over $5000
- Mischief over $5000
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
The accused was released on an Undertaking with a future court date at the Ontario Court of Justice in the City of Orillia.
On the same day, in the evening, just before 8:00 p.m., Orillia OPP officers responded to a 911 call in the area Line 14 in Oro-Medonte Township. Officers arrived at the area and spoke with the male who had called 911. After officers spoke with the male, and were going to leave the area, a female’s voice could be heard yelling out for the officer’s assistance as the male party was in possession of a firearm and was pointing it at the officers. Officers were able to gain control of the male and successfully place him under arrest.
As a result, Carter Pautsch, 24-year-old from Oro-Medonte Township has been charged with:
- Assault a Peace Officer with a weapon
- Assault a Peace Officer with a weapon
- Fail to Comply with probation Order
- Pointing a Firearm
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Resist Peace Officer
- Resist Peace Officer
- Uttering Threats-cause death or Bodily Harm
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.
Members of Orillia OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information that may be helpful, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestopperssdm.com.