Bail has been granted for a 21-year-old from Eganville charged with multiple counts of endangering life. The OPP arrested Joshua Boyce on Thursday afternoon in connection to debris that’s been found on Highway 17 between Pembroke and Renfrew. Boyce has been charged with 5 counts of mischief endangering life, theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime. None of the charges have been proven in court.
It’s alleged in December of 2019, Boyce and another friend lit a shed on fire at an apartment complex on Bennett Street in Pembroke that caused $20,000 in damages. The crown alleges that Boyce and his friend started the fire, drove up the road to PEM ICE II and watched as firefighters attended the scene.
In May of 2020, Boyce allegedly drove around Pembroke with two others lighting fireworks and throwing them out of his vehicle. One of the fireworks landed in a planter box of a Pembroke home igniting the side of the house and causing $14,000 in damages. Luckily no injuries were reported as a result of that incident.
In October of 2020, the crown alleges Boyce started putting debris on area roads. One witness told police they were with him when Boyce placed pylons on Highway 148. The accused is said to have parked across the road at the Esso gas station to watch as vehicles had to swerve into the ditch to avoid the pylons.
In January of 2021, it’s alleged that Boyce placed rocks slightly larger than basketballs across the travelled portion of Highway 17 near Logos Land. Two vehicles were damaged and no injuries were reported. The crown says Boyce had talked to a friend about placing the rocks on the highway. The friend refused to take part, but provided a statement to police.
In February of 2021, it’s alleged that Boyce placed four steel rims in a diamond pattern across all of Highway 17 near Sawmill Road. Someone driving by stopped around 3:17am to move the rims and call the OPP, but not before a tractor trailer driving at highway speed struck the rims. Luckily no collision was caused. As part of the bail hearing, no evidence was presented about the water tank found on the shoulder of the Highway.
In terms of evidence, the car tire of the accused matched an impression found at the scene of the fire on Bennett Street. A witness matched the vehicle of the accused and saw them throwing fireworks out of the vehicle. Boyce also allegedly texted a friend to ask if they heard the loud bangs and said he was “disappointed” it wasn’t louder. According to the Crown Attorney, Boyce has also provided inculpatory (incriminating) statements. Statements from friends also confirm his intentions to place rocks on the highway and video evidence captures the vehicle of the accused at an auto shop where the rims that were found on the Highway went missing.
Despite the Crown pleading for detention, the Justice of the Peace decided to grant bail. The judge felt with conditions, the accused would not reoffend. She added the 21-year-old from Eganville has no criminal record. The judge also noted the public would not lose faith in court administration if the accused was released on bail.
Boyce will have to abide by a number of conditions including a curfew between 9pm and 6am, to not attend the scene of the fire and a no-contact order with a number of other individuals. Boyce has been released to the custody of his mother. A $500 bond was set that doesn’t need to be paid unless he breaches his conditions.
The matter was pushed over until the end of March when Boyce will return to the Pembroke courthouse.