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Teen charged in alleged noxious substance incident at business near Barrie high school

A Barrie police cruiser is pictured in this file image. (CTV News) A Barrie police cruiser is pictured in this file image. (CTV News)
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Barrie police arrested a teen accused of discharging an irritant in the bathroom of a business after previously having been trespassed from the location.

Police say the alleged incident happened on Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. at a business in the area of St. Vincent Street and Cundles Road East.

They say the business owner flagged down an officer on patrol who located a teen nearby and placed him under arrest.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is facing charges of mischief under $5,000 and administering a noxious substance with intent to aggrieve or annoy.

He has since been released from police custody but is scheduled to appear before a Barrie judge next October.

The situation spurred social media posts about something happening at a nearby high school, but the school board confirmed to CTV News that St. Joseph's Catholic High School was not involved.

In a letter sent to families, school officials noted that under the direction of police, "neither a hold and secure nor a lockdown was necessary or initiated at the school" on Wednesday.

"At no point were students or staff on school property at risk," the board stated in response to online rumours about the incident.

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