Police find ‘encampment’ with stolen stuff in the bush, arrest two people

The Ontario Provincial Police arrested two people and recovered stolen property from multiple break and enters.

“On Dec. 27, 2025, the Sault Ste. Marie OPP was conducting proactive patrols and located an encampment with a large amount of stolen property in a bush area near the intersection of Highway 556 and Highway 129,” the OPP said in a news release.

These members were assisted by the North East Region Emergency Response Team and Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Canine Unit where two people were subsequently arrested.

In September, October, and December of 2025, the East Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie OPP received multiple B & E reports in the Peshu Lake, Aubrey Falls, and Ranger Lake areas where numerous buildings were broken into and many items were stolen.

Police later located the stolen property at a remote location on Highway 556/Ranger Lake Road. Some items involve vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, trailers, snowmobiles, power tools, power equipment, electronics, and many other items.

A thorough investigation and recovery operation was conducted by OPP’s uniformed members, East Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie Crime Units, Sault Ste. Marie and East Algoma Community Street Crime Units, Forensic Identification Services (FIS), and the Bail Support Team.

The OPP North East Region ERT, OPP Snowmobile ATV Vessel Enforcement, and Urban Search and Rescue/Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Response Team were brought in to assist while equipment and personnel were provided by Batchewana First Nation Police Service, Goulais Fire Department and Sault Ste. Marie Search and Rescue to assist with the recovery.

In November, these thefts were featured on SooToday in the Crime of the Week. At the time, the OPP estimated the value of the stolen items to be over $17,000.

Two people were arrested and charged.

Jonathan Matthew Vanderwal, 40, of Reilly Township (north of Sault Ste. Marie) is charged with:

Theft over $5000 – 10 counts
Theft under $5000 – five counts
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – nine counts
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 – four counts
Break, enter a place – commit indictable offence – 11 counts
Break & enter a place and steal a firearm – two counts
Mischief under $5000 – nine counts
Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose – two counts
Possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime – two counts
Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition – three counts
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm – two counts
Unauthorized possession of a firearm – two counts
Breach of Recognizance – five counts
Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court – four counts

Kaitlyn Dellow, 22, of Reilly Township (north of Sault Ste. Marie) was charged with:

Theft over $5000 – 10 counts
Theft under $5000 – five counts
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 – nine counts
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 – four counts
Break, enter a place – commit indictable offence – 11 counts
Break & enter a place and steal a firearm – two counts
Mischief under $5000 – nine counts
Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose – two counts
Possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime – two counts
Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition – three counts
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm – two counts
Unauthorized possession of a firearm – two counts

Both accused were scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Bail Court in Sault Ste. Marie on Dec. 29, 2025, and remain in custody.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and both individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.

The OPP believes there may be additional victims and have outstanding recovered property. These victims can contact the East Algoma OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and reference occurrence number E251703515.