Two Ottawa men arrested in trucker convoy demonstration incidents
Posted Feb 2, 2022 02:21:00 AM.
Ottawa police have made two arrests in demonstration-related investigations and another 13 investigations remain ongoing, Ottawa police have confirmed.
In an update on Tuesday, February 1, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) confirmed that two men, both from Ottawa, now face charges to events that happened over the weekend.
Matthew Dorken, 29, has been charged with mischief under $5,000 in relation to an instance that happened on Saturday, January 29, where the accused caused mischief to property.
Police said Dorken was not arrested at the time in order to avoid a larger confrontation.
On Sunday, January 30, Andre J. Lacasse, 37, was charged with carrying a weapon to a public meeting under the Criminal Code of Canada.
“We want to be very clear, both for the current demonstrations and any planned demonstrations: illegal activity will not be toleration,” OPS said in a statement. “There will be consequences for anyone contravening City By-laws, Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code legislation.”
Police also said that eight complaints have been made to their hotline, which was made live as of Monday evening. Three of those complaints will be investigated by the police’s Hate and Bias Crime Unit.
Some progression in the investigation into the desecration of the War Monument has also happened, police added.
Demonstrators continue to clear out of the area, and police say the number of protesters on the hill are now at about 50 with about 200 others in surrounding areas.
