Category: Area OPP

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – On July 20, 2021, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Huron-Perth Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with the assistance of the Grey-Bruce CSCU, Wellington CSCU, Perth County OPP, and the West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrant at a residence in the Municipality of North Perth. As a result of the search warrant, police seized drugs, cash, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and property.

The search warrant was executed at a residence on Inkerman Street East, Listowel, where two people were arrested. As a result of this investigation, police seized cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone pills, psilocybin, LSD, cannabis marihuana, and cannabis resin. The estimated combined street value of the controlled drugs and substances was over $13,000. Police also seized cash, offence related property consisting of drug trafficking paraphernalia and property, including a motorcycle, with a total value of over $30,000.

Jason DRAGER, 49, of Listowel, is charged with:

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking- Cocaine

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking- Other Drugs

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Methamphetamine

·      Possession of a Schedule III Substance (two counts)

·      Possession for the purpose of distributing 

Lisa DRAGER, 48, of Listowel, is charged with:

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking- Cocaine

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking- Other Drugs

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Methamphetamine

·      Possession of a Schedule III Substance (two counts)

·      Possession for the purpose of distributing

Both of the accused persons have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford at a later date to answer to the charges.

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – A London resident is facing fourteen charges after two vehicle thefts in Huron County earlier this week, thanks to a number of tips from the public.

The Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was contacted just before 2:00 p.m. on July 19 2021 after a vehicle was stolen from Belfast Road, in Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh Township, where it was parked near a field. A witness had observed a white pickup truck, with a red trailer, drop the suspect off at the scene prior to both vehicles fleeing the area.

Police received multiple calls from citizens reporting suspicious activity in the area, including a report of a suspicious person looking for fuel. The description of the vehicles and male was similar to the stolen vehicle and accomplice vehicle.

Police were patrolling the area, and were able to locate the vehicle based on the incoming tip locations. The vehicle fled to Ramsay Line, where the driver got out and began to flee on foot, when they were arrested by officers.

William LINDSAY, 27, of London, has been charged with:

–       Dangerous Operation

–       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

–       Fail to Comply with Probation Order (four counts)

–       Operation while Prohibited under the Criminal Code (six counts)

–       Driving While Under Suspension (two counts)

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Another report was received at 8:00 p.m. on the same day, July 19 2021, that a white pickup truck and red trailer had been stolen from Base Line, where it had been parked beside a field. This truck was later recovered on St. David Street, Mitchell in Perth County, and the trailer found on Donnybrook Line, Central Huron.

Unlocked farm vehicles were targeted in this occurrence. While no one was injured, it is important to remember that stolen vehicles are a danger on our roads. Unlocked vehicles, especially with keys left inside, are easy targets. Not only does it use a lot of police resources to investigate, but often the suspects have been using drugs prior to driving, and will flee from police. All vehicle owners and drivers are reminded to lock their vehicles, and prevent these thefts and dangerous driving incidents.

“We encourage the public to employ measures that act as a criminal deterrent, including locking their vehicles, sheds and residences. Please report suspicious activity as soon as possible, by either calling 911 in an emergency, or the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.” – Inspector Jason Younan, Huron County OPP Detachment Commander

(BRANT COUNTY, ON) – On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at approximately 1:23 p.m., an officer with the Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) initiated a traffic stop on Harley Road in the County of Brant.

The officer was conducting speed enforcement, when they located a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was stopped after travelling more than 110 km/h in a posted 50 km/h Community Safety Zone.

Police have charged Ryan Andrew DOJCSAK, 26-years-of-age from Brantford with the following offences:

·       Race a motor vehicle – excessive speed and

·       Speeding 112 kilometres per hour in a 50km/h community safety zone.

The vehicle was impounded at the roadside for 14 days and the individual’s driver’s licence was suspended for 7 days.

The driver is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Brantford at a later date.

A Community Safety Zone is a designated stretch of roadway marked with provincially legislated Community Safety Zone signs. Community Safety Zone signs signal to motorists travelling within the zone that under the Highway Traffic Act, fines for speeding or related offenses are doubled. Community Safety Zones are sections of roadway where public safety is of special concern. Community Safety Zones may include roadways near schools, day care centres, playgrounds, parks, hospitals and senior citizen residences. They may also be used for collision prone areas within a community.

(CHESLEY, ON) – On July 17, 2021 at 12:39 a.m., a South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a vehicle along 5^th Avenue south west in Chesley. The officer found that the driver had been drinking alcohol.

Following a roadside screening test, the driver was placed under arrest and taken to the South Bruce OPP Detachment for testing with a Qualified Intoxilizer Technician. 

Brandon BELL, 24-years-old, of Laurentian Valley Township, was charged with Operate over 80 milligrams. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on September 1, 2021 to answer to the charge.

This charge includes an immediate 90-day driver’s license suspension and an immediate 7-day vehicle impoundment. 

(KINCARDINE, ON) – On July 19, 2021 at 5:19 p.m., the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a suspected impaired driver that was south bound on Highway 21 in the Municipality of Kincardine.

Officers located the vehicle and found that the driver had been drinking alcohol. The accused was arrested and taken to the South Bruce OPP detachment for testing with a Qualified Intoxilizer Technician. 

Adam WADDELL, 22-years-old, of Sarnia was charged with Operate over 80 milligrams. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on September 1, 2021 to answer to the charge.

This charge includes an immediate 90-day driver’s license suspension and an immediate 7-day vehicle impoundment.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – One person was charged after a single vehicle collision sends two passengers to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Perth County Paramedic Services, and the Perth East Fire Department responded to a single vehicle collision on Line 39, in the Township of Perth East, just before 7:00 a.m. on July 13 2021.

Two adult passengers were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One other passenger and the driver were not injured.

Jaskaran SINGH, 25, of Kitchener, has been issued a Provincial Offences Notice for:

–       Careless Driving

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating after an unknown person was trespassing at a residence in the Municipality of North Perth.

Just after midnight on July 13 2021, a suspect attended a rural property on Line 87, in the Municipality of North Perth and used the homeowner’s hot tub, leaving clothing behind. While this may seem like a harmless prank, the owner now has to drain the tub and clean it, due to sanitary reasons.

The suspect is described as:

–       Male

–       Caucasian

–       Approximately 20 to 30 years of age

–       Small build

–       Average height

The Perth County OPP would like to encourage the public to be aware, and report any suspicious activity to police immediately. Consider installing security features, such as increased lighting, good-quality cameras, or alarms. Citizens are asked to ensure vehicles, sheds, garages and doors are locked to assist in the prevention of some property crimes.

(GODERICH, ON) – A Goderich resident is facing Assault with a Weapon charges following an investigation conducted last week by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The investigation has since revealed on July 10, 2021 at approximately 11:45 p.m. three young teenagers were outside of a convenience store located on Victoria Street in Goderich when they had an interaction with the accused.

During the interaction the accused accessed a canister and sprayed the youth with an eye irritant substance. The accused then took off and fled the scene.

Officers reviewed available video surveillance and were able to quickly identify the offender. Officers then patrolled the area and about an hour later police located and arrested the accused.

Wesley GREEN, 33 years of age, from Goderich has been charged with three counts of Assault with a Weapon. He has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for August 16, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.     

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), including members from the Huron County OPP Crime Unit are currently investigating a scam that has victimized a Huron County resident for an astounding $700,000.

Investigators became aware of the incident yesterday afternoon through the victim’s daughter. Investigators have since learned the victim, a senior, met the scammer online in 2018 through a popular social media messenger service.   

The scammer, claimed to be a surgeon working for the United Nations and at one point used a ruse that he had been abducted by a terrorist entity and needed some money to pay off his ransom. The scammer was also sent money to help with surgeries, medical treatment, international flights and other emergencies.

As is the case with many victims of this type of fraud, the victim will often develop a strong emotional attachment to the scammer and emotional triggers will often prevail over sound judgement. The online bond these scammers form with their victims is very real. In many cases victims are in complete denial and will continue to send money until there is nothing left to give even though they have been warned by family, banking officials and even police. 

Falling in love is a beautiful thing. Falling victim is not.

According to statistics collected by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), in 2020, 899 complaints were received related to romance scams which included 620 victims who lost over 18.5 million dollars to scammers pretending to be in love.

The romance scam involves an individual with false romantic intentions toward a victim in order to gain their trust and affection for the purpose of obtaining the victim’s money or access to their bank accounts or credit cards. Scammers often steal photos and use dating sites and social media to build their profiles with the intent of luring potential victims into sending money for various reasons. The scammers often use background stories to mimic the victim’s, common examples are the person is a successful business person, works in the military, works for a charity and works overseas. 

The scammer will gain the trust of the victim through displays of affection and will communicate via phone, skype, apps and email for months, if necessary to build trust.

The scammer usually requests money to visit the victim, usually to pay for a visa and airfare, but then suddenly runs into other unexpected difficulties. The closer the date appears to be getting to the victim, more unexpected events occur and more money is requested by the scammer to cover the costs. 

Scammer’s may also claim that there is a medical emergency with a sick family member. They will then ask for money to cover the medical expenses.

The scammer may also tell you about a large amount of money, gold or some other treasure they need to transfer out of their country, and offer you a share of it. They will tell you they need your money to cover administrative fees or taxes. 

How to Protect Yourself?

·        Be suspicious when someone you have never met in person professes their love to you

·        If trying to set up an in-person meeting, be suspicious if they always have an excuse not to meet

·        Do not share personal or financial information with anyone you have just met online or in person

·        Be cautious when conversing with an individual that claims to live close to you but is working overseas

·        Never under any circumstance send money for any reason

·        Never send intimate photos or videos of yourself as they may be used to blackmail you

Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Recognize it! Reject it! Report it!

REPORTING FRAUD

Should you need to report a scam/fraud please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) by using the reporting system at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm  or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – On July 15 2021 just before 10:00 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Perth County Paramedic Services responded to a serious workplace incident that occurred at a barn on Line 90, in the Municipality of North Perth.

An employee was injured while on a forklift.

The victim, a 19-year-old resident of Mapleton Township was transported to a local hospital, and later transferred to a trauma centre with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) was contacted and is investigating. 

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to thank the public and media for their assistance in helping police locate Shawn ELLIOTT of Huron County. 

Last night as a result of a tip Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a residence in Listowel and took the male into custody without incident.

Shawn ELLIOTT, 45 years of age, from Huron County has been charged with the following offences:

·        Sexual Assault – 3 Counts

·        Assault – 2 Counts

·        Sexual Assault With a Weapon

·        Assault With a Weapon

·        Break and Enter, Commit Indictable Offence

·        Mischief Under $5,000

·        Fail to Comply with Probation Order – 6 Counts

The accused is currently in custody with a bail hearing scheduled for later today.

(TOWNSHIP OF PUSLINCH, ON) – On July 19, 2020 the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a break and enter at a residence on Watson Road South in Puslinch Township.

Investigation revealed that the residence had been forcibly entered by unknown suspect/s and a quantity of jewelry and Canadian currency had been stolen.

The scene was processed by an OPP Scenes of Crime officer (SOCO) and DNA was collected.

A DNA match was found and a suspect was identified and arrested.

Kevin DREXLER, 37-years-old of Wellington North Township has been charged with Break Enter a Dwelling House and Commit an Indictable Offence contrary to the Criminal Code. The accused will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on August 17, 2021 to answer to the charge.

A collaboration of several resources including OPP uniform patrol officers, OPP SOCO, the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS), and the Wellington County OPP Street Crime Unit (CSCU) led to this crime being solved and the accused being brought before the courts.

(TOWNSHIP OF GUELPH-ERAMOSA, ON) – On July 10, 2021, at approximately 8:05 p.m., members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting R.I.D.E. spot checks on Woodlawn Road East at the entrance to Guleph Lake Sports Fields. Police investigated the driver of a motor vehicle that entered into the checkpoint.

As a result, Buddhi ACHARYA, 33-years-old of Brantford has been charged with Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration 80 Plus contrary to the Criminal Code. 

A 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (A.D.L.S.) and 7-day Vehicle Impoundment was initiated as per statute. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on August 3, 2021.

If you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired, either by drug or alcohol, call police at 911 to report it.

(TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE WELLINGTON, ON) – On June 29, 2021, at approximately 12:35 a.m., the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a driving complaint on Wellington Road 18 in the Township of Centre Wellington.

Officers located the vehicle and while speaking with the driver, signs of impairment were detected and they were placed under arrest.

As a result, Andrew Frederick VOGELMAN, 22-years-old of Cambridge has been charged with Dangerous Driving, Flight From Peace Officer, Operation While Impaired and Operation While Impaired – 80 Plus contrary to the Criminal Code. 

The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on August 6, 2021 to answer to the charges.

If you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired, either by drug or alcohol, call police at 911 to report it.

(SOUTHGATE, ON) On July 10, 2021 at approximately 8:10 p.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to an altercation on Ida Street, in the Town of Dundalk. 

Officer arrived on scene and during the course of the investigation a driver was arrested. The driver was transported to the Grey Bruce OPP detachment, where further tests were administered.

Grey Bruce OPP have charged Corey ALLEN, 36 years-of-age, from Southgate, Ontario with the following offences:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, and
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused must attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on August 19, 2021.