Two more teens charged with 'extensive damage' at Elliot Lake arena

Two more Elliot Lake teens have been charged in connection to the break-in at the local arena last week and are accused of causing more than $50,000 in damage.

A look at some of the $50,000 in damage done to Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake last weekend. (OPP photos)

A break-in at the Centennial Arena on Spruce Avenue in the small northern Ontario town was reported to police around 7 a.m. Sept. 27, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release.

The arena is under construction and contractors returning to the site said they noticed extensive damage appeared to have been done overnight.

"A Zoom-Boom was still running which had smashed into a large structural post, seven large commercial fire extinguishers were deployed everywhere, and all food in the canteen cupboards and refrigerator were damaged and thrown on the floor," OPP said.

"The estimated cost of damages is over $50,000."

A look at some of the $50,000 in damage done to Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake last weekend. (OPP photos)

Police released images from security camera footage of a group of suspects wearing all black last weekend. CTV News has removed those photos because the suspects are minors and protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

"Five male suspects entered and deployed numerous fire extinguishers inside and vandalized kitchen/canteen," OPP said Sept. 27 in a social media post about the incident.

The first two suspects, 17-year-olds from Elliot Lake, were charged Oct. 1.

Two more suspects, also 17-year-old locals, were arrested Thursday night between 6:30 and 7 p.m., OPP said.

All four suspects are charged with two counts of breaking and entering with intent to commit an indictable offence and mischief over $5,000.

A look at some of the $50,000 in damage done to Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake last weekend. (OPP photos)

The accused are scheduled to appear in court Nov. 14.

"The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available," OPP said.

One suspect is still outstanding, OPP Const. Bev Gauthier told CTV News in an email Friday morning.

Security camera footage also shows the same group trespassing and trying to break into Central Avenue Public School down the street from the arena, police said in a news release Tuesday.

Centennial Arena has been closed since September 2023 and is undergoing $4.3 million in repairs.

Elliot Lake's Centennial Arena has been closed since September 2023 because of structural problems. (File Photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Earlier this year, the community was named Kraft Hockeyville, winning $250,000 to help fix its arena.