Eight charged after officer assaulted in Fort Frances arrest

Eight people face charges after police say an officer was assaulted and a police vehicle was damaged during an arrest in Fort Frances on Thursday, Aug. 19.

According to a news release from Ontario Provincial Police, an officer identified a person in the 400 block of Portage Avenue who was wanted on an arrest warrant. When the officer attempted to make an arrest, police say multiple other people became involved and interfered in the attempted arrest.

Police say multiple people damaged a police vehicle and one person assaulted the officer with a weapon. Neither the officer nor members of the public were injured.

Officers seized an airsoft gun that looks like a handgun, a stun gun, methamphetamine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and $8,000 in Canadian currency.

Following the incident, six Fort Frances adults were charged with obstructing a peace officer. Five of them were also charged with mischief over $5,000 and intimidation of a justice official, and three also face drug-related charges.

Police say two young persons were also arrested and charged related to the incident.