Court records shed light on Walpole Island armed robbery suspect

Police didn’t identify the Walpole Island resident they arrested following an armed robbery earlier this month at the First Nation.

But short records show Windy Riley, a 42-year-old man who was already facing several charges linked to four other investigations, has been charged in connection to the July 17 incident on River Road in the small community between Sarnia and Chatham.

Lambton OPP said in a statement the next day their officers, a police dog, emergency response and tactics and rescue units, and local Walpole Island police responded to a reported robbery involving a firearm about 10:30 pm Police did not say what business was robbed , but records say it was the Willow Beach Trading Post, a local convenience store located near the St. Clair River. The document alleviates cash was taken from the register.

Police said the canine unit led officers to a nearby residence, where a 42-year-old Walpole Island resident was arrested without incident and charged with robbery with a weapon and two counts of failing to comply with a release order. Police added the accused’s name was being withheld to protect the integrity of their investigation and updates would be provided when they become available.

As for the other two charges, the court document alleges Riley had a release order in place banning him from weapons and being out of his home between 10 pm and 6 am None of the charges have been tested in court.

Police also said the suspect was held for a bail hearing. Since his arrest, Riley has made multiple appearances in video remand court from the Sarnia Jail. During his most recent appearance Thursday, duty counsel David Burns asked to have all five of his cases adjourned to Monday as Riley’s lawyer, Ken Marley, is putting a potential bail hearing together.

Riley is also facing charges linked to four other cases, two from last year and two from earlier this year. He was one of several people arrested in late May 2022 after police said they seized drugs and stolen property and again in April as police ugly nearly 30 drugs and weapons charges.

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@ObserverTerry