A large police presence was at 29 Pentagon Blvd. yesterday in a bid to remove tenants, squatters and guests from the property on behalf of the new owner

The new owner of a problem P-Patch property knows it will be a challenge ousting the occupants and guests from the house.

Yesterday, a large police presence assembled at 29 Pentagon Blvd. — a property described in court documents as an around-the-clock “haven for illegal and illicit activity” — in an unsuccessful attempt to remove people from the premises. 

Local real estate investor Paul Finck said he bought the problem-plagued property in hopes of not only renovating and selling the home to a “good family,” but restoring order to the neighbourhood.

“I have friends that live in the P-Patch. There’s been lots of people complaining about the situation here,” Finck told SooToday.

“It’s been going on for many years, and it’s an opportunity to clean house and bring it back to its original state.” 

Next-door neighbours Nick Delavalle and his common-law partner were awarded half a million dollars in damages last year after a judge found there was enough evidence of “illegal, illicit, disruptive, interfering and egregious conduct,” involving tenants, squatters and guests at 29 Pentagon Blvd.

Delavalle and his partner initially filed a statement of claim against former property owner Marty Acciavatti in 2022, seeking $700,000 in damages from their neighbour for “multiple private nuisances, trespasses, mental distress, out-of-pocket expenses,” and other punitive damages.

The statement of claim detailed a nightmarish predicament, including drug use, assaults, gunshots and animal feces — in addition to incessant noise made by barking dogs and people partying at all hours of the day and night.

The property was placed on the real estate market last month, by way of a sheriff’s sale, in an effort to collect the unpaid, court-ordered damages awarded to the neighbours. 

But the sale came with a catch: Prospective buyers were warned not to approach, enter or attend 29 Pentagon Blvd., and the seller had no idea of what was actually inside the home or garage situated on the property.

Selling agent Frank Naccarato of Century 21 Choice Realty said the sale was on an “as-is, where-is” basis, meaning the property would be sold in its current condition without any repairs or renovations.

“There’s no guarantees on nothing, there’s no warranties on nothing,” said Naccarato. “You couldn’t go on the property, and it was a very unique situation.”

Last week, a deal closed on the sale of 29 Pentagon Blvd. for $170,000 — plus more than $12,000 owing in property tax arrears — after a total of four offers were received last month.

Finck, who has a history of buying, renovating and selling properties in the Sault, figures the interior of the home will have to undergo extensive renovations before it goes back on the market.

“The property is in a bit of disarray, so it needs work,” he said.

But now, it’s a matter of removing the tenants, squatters and assorted guests from the property.

Police descended upon Pentagon Blvd. yesterday morning, only to leave more than an hour later after interacting with an individual who answered the door.

“Our members were on scene to keep the peace and support with the removal of unwanted people from property,” Sault Ste. Marie Police Service spokesperson Lincoln Louttit informed SooToday via email. 

A handful of neighbours who gathered outside to watch the police activity declined to speak with SooToday on the record.

Finck said people in the P-Patch that he’s spoken with have been frustrated with the activity in and around the property for years. 

“They’re just sick and tired of the traffic. It’s a revolving door with people in and out,” he said. 

Finck would not disclose the reason why police were unable to remove people from the house, but said he’s currently working with both his legal counsel and police in order to make that happen eventually. 

Naccarato called the sale of 29 Pentagon Blvd. a “start to the rehabilitation of the neighbourhood.”

“That property, depending how it’s finished at the end of the day, will be worth quite a bit more than you paid for,” he said.

Next month, a former tenant of 29 Pentagon Blvd. will stand trial in connection with an incident on the property that left an individual severely injured. 

Satu Raitis, 50, was charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm in connection with an alleged Nov. 11, 2024 dog attack — involving multiple dogs — in the P-Patch neighbourhood. 

At the time, police said they believed there were 19 dogs inside the residence at the time of the attack.

The allegations have yet to be tested in court and the accused in considered innocent until proven guilty. 

Raitis is scheduled to stand trial over a five-day period beginning on Jan. 12, 2026.