Category: Area OPP

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – The holidays are over, but thieves are still targeting unsecured deliveries.

On January 11 2021, just after 12:00 p.m., a Listowel resident reported to the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) that a delivered package had been stolen from the porch of a residence on Main Street West. The value of the stolen package is approximately $200.

The Perth County OPP want to remind all community residents to please contact the police immediately if they observe any suspicious activity.

Tips to Prevent Delivery Thefts:

• Shop local, and use in-store pickup services when possible
• Use “delivery tracking” to time deliveries
• Request a signature upon delivery
• Leave instructions on concealing and securing deliveries
• Have someone else receive your package
• Have packages delivered to where you will be (work, etc.)
• Pick up packages at the delivery service depot
• Customize delivery instructions with the vendor
• Security system can monitor your home for drop-offs
• Be a good neighbour and call police if you see anything suspicious

(TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON NORTH, ON) – On January 2, 2021, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a robbery that had just occurred in the parking lot at a business located on Main Street near Queen Street in Mount Forest.

It was reported that as the victim was returning to their vehicle, they noticed a suspect in the driver’s seat of their vehicle. The victim attempted to physically remove the suspect from the vehicle and a struggle ensued. The victim was knocked to the ground and the suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle at a high rate of speed.

Approximately an hour later, the same suspect in the stolen vehicle attended a gas station on Main Street in Mount Forest and stole a quantity of fuel.

Later the same day, the stolen vehicle was recovered and a suspect was arrested in York Region by York Regional Police.

As a result of the investigation, Raymond Lloyd COTE, 29-years-old of Mount Forest has been charged with Robbery, Theft Under Five Thousand Dollars, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Fail to Comply with Probation Order, contrary to the Criminal Code. 

The accused was held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph.

(MIDDLESEX, ON) – On Sunday January 10, 2021 at 07:57 a.m. members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police responded to reports of an altercation on Main St. located in Parkhill, ON. Police were advised that six males were involved in an altercation when one male was observed with a knife and a second male was observed holding a pistol. Two victims attempted to flee the area on foot but one was assaulted and struck in the head with the firearm. 

The suspects fled the scene, southbound on Main St. in a grey, Volkswagen motor vehicle. Police located the suspect vehicle a short time later and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, when the vehicle failed to stop for police and fled the area e/b on Nairn Rd.

A short time later members of the Middlesex OPP, along with the assistance of the London Police Service (LPS) located and stopped the suspect vehicle in the City of London. 

Police were able to recover a Glock 17 Pellet gun that was thrown from the vehicle as well as a knife and a quantity of illegal drugs from the involved parties.

As a result of an investigation police have charged a Young Person – age 17- of London ON with:

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle as per section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code (CC)
• Flight from peace officer as per section 320.17 CC
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose as per section 88 CC
• Imitation Firearm – Use while committing offence as per section 85(2)(a)
• Assault with A Weapon as per section 267(a) CC
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin) as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
•  Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Cocaine as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• The accused has also been charged with two counts under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA)

Police have also charged Noah GRANT – age 18- of Central Elgin, ON with:

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin) as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose as per section 88 CC
• Imitation Firearm – Use while committing offence as per section 85(2)(a)
• Assault with A Weapon as per section 267(a) CC 

Police have also charged Chase COFFIN – age- 18 of Central Elgin, ON with:

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin) as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose as per section 88 CC
• Imitation Firearm – Use while committing offence as per section 85(2)(a)
• Assault with A Weapon as per section 267(a) CC

Police have also charged Leslie KAILEN – age 18- of London, ON with:

•  Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin) as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose as per section 88 CC
• Imitation Firearm – Use while committing offence as per section 85(2)(a)
• Assault with A Weapon as per section 267(a) CC

All four accused parties were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to appear in an Ontario Court of Justice on January 12, 2020 to speak to the charges.

(TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE WELLINGTON, ON) – On January 10, 2021 Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a break, enter, and theft to a business on Glengarry Crescent in Fergus.

It was reported that on January 10, 2021 sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., unknown suspects attended the victim business in a modified red Ford F150 truck. The suspects gained entry to the fenced property by breaking a lock on a gate. They then proceeded to fill several containers with fuel before leaving the area. The theft was captured on security cameras.

The suspect vehicle is described as a modified red Ford F150 utility truck. The truck has an extended cab with a generator and welder mounted behind the cab.  It has a low, open short box with a heavy duty trailer hitch.

Any person with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

(SOUTHGATE, ON) On January 8, 2020 at 5:47 a.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to a theft of a motor vehicle from a residence on Main Street East in the Town of Dundalk, in the Township of Southgate.   

The suspect was later involved in a gas theft from a local gas station. The suspect later abandoned this vehicle and stole another motor vehicle from a residence in Markdale. The vehicle eventually got stuck in the snow on a no winter maintenance roadway and officers arrested the driver without further incident.          

As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged Kenneth MCCOOL, 30 years-of-age, from Wellington North, ON with the following offences:

• Theft of a motor vehicle, section 333.1 Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• Theft under $5,000., section 334(b) CCC
• Possession of property obtained by crime – over $5,000., section 355(a) CCC
• Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited, section 320.18(1)(a) CCC
• Failure to comply with Undertaking, section 145(4)(a) CCC
• Failure to comply with Release Order, section 145(5)(a) CCC

The accused has a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on January 11, 2021.   

(WEST PERTH, ON) – Police are reminding citizens to be on the lookout for suspicious activity after another break and enter in Perth County.

The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating after a break and enter to a business that occurred sometime overnight on January 8 2021 to the morning of January 9 2021, on Perth Line 44, in the Municipality of West Perth. The suspect(s) broke into the locked business and stole approximately $7000 worth of cement saws and power tools.

After numerous break and enters in the area, the Perth County (OPP) would like to remind the public to report any suspicious activity to police immediately, and consider installing security features, such as increased lighting, cameras, or alarms. Ensure vehicles, sheds, garages and doors are locked to prevent some crimes from happening.

It is possible that more break and enters occurred in the area, but were not reported. The Perth County OPP encourages citizens to report these incidents, and reports can now be submitted online, regardless of value, where there is no evidence at the scene or suspects. The user can easily log into www.opp.ca/reporting to see a complete list of eligible occurrences, and choose their location to begin the report. This will take the user to a secure link where they will be given precise instructions on how to fill out the report. 

Anyone with information regarding this or any incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – Police are reminding citizens to be on the lookout for suspicious activity after another break and enter in the Township of Perth East.

The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating after a break and enter to a locked generator shed that occurred sometime overnight on January 7 2021 to the morning of January 8 2021, on the Perth-Oxford Road, in the Township of Perth East. It is believed that two suspects broke into the shed and stole a permanently installed air compressor, with an approximate value over $1700.

After numerous break and enters in the area, the Perth County (OPP) would like to remind the public to report any suspicious activity to police immediately, and consider installing security features, such as increased lighting, cameras, or alarms. Ensure vehicles, sheds, garages and doors are locked to prevent some crimes from happening.

It is possible that more break and enters occurred in the area, but were not reported. The Perth County OPP encourages citizens to report these incidents, and reports can now be submitted online, regardless of value, where there is no evidence at the scene or suspects. The user can easily log into www.opp.ca/reporting to see a complete list of eligible occurrences, and choose their location to begin the report. This will take the user to a secure link where they will be given precise instructions on how to fill out the report. 

Anyone with information regarding this or any incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(OXFORD COUNTY, ON) – On Thursday, January 7, 2021, at approximately 2:08 p.m., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Oxford County Detachment responded to a 9-1-1 emergency call for a single motor vehicle collision at a Township Road 11, Blandford-Blenheim Township address.

It was determined that a vehicle was travelling along Township Road 11 between Blenheim Road and Trussler Road when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled over after entering a ditch. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

As a result, police charged 51-year-old Sheila THOMAS of Stratford, Ontario with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration 80 plus.

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

(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) – The South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is sending a fraud warning after receiving a report of a successful fraud on January 7, 2021.

A Municipality of Brockton resident received a call from an individual representing themselves as an employee of an established tech company. Once remote access was gained, the suspect completed a number of banking transactions. The total loss is estimated to be $20,000.     

Modern, tech-savvy scammers have the ability to create very convincing scams. They won’t hesitate to use the name of a legitimate company in an effort to gain your trust and trick you into paying them. 

Always be cautious with unsolicited email, phone calls, letters, even visitors at your door. Unsolicited means that you didn’t ask for it. Always be certain who you are dealing with before you ever consider sending money.

Anyone interested in more information on fraud can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1 888 495 8501 or check online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca/.

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

(TOWNSHIP OF GUELPH-ERAMOSA, ON) – On January 7, 2021, at approximately 11:00 p.m. the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles on Wellington Road 124 at Wellington Road 32 in the Township of Guelph-Eramosa.

While speaking with the one of the drivers, police determined that their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to a local OPP Operation Centre for further testing.

Paul Anthony MAZZA, 44-years-old of Guelph has been charged with;

• Operation While Impaired – 80 Plus contrary to the Criminal Code.
• Operation While Impaired-alcohol or drugs contrary to the Criminal Code.
• Failing to Comply with Probation Order contrary to the Criminal Code.
• Drive Motor Vehicle-No Licence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.
• Driving Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor-contrary to the Liquor Licence Act

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 January 29, 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.

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – A Blyth resident is hopeful his experience with a recent scam will help prevent others from becoming a victim.

The victim, a man in his 70’s reported he was nearly taken for $18,000 after he got snagged up in a tech support scam. The victim reported his laptop was targeted with a virus that froze up his screen in the form of a pop up window. He responded to the number provided and called to get his computer up and running again. While speaking with the supposed tech support agents he was informed they had completed a diagnostic check on his computer and several viruses and issues were found on his computer. 

The scammer then proceeded to gain remote access to the victim’s computer and installed a product that was supposed to act as an anti-virus software program. The victim reported the product appeared to work as expected however a few weeks passed and he was contacted by the agent and was advised they could no longer provide this service. The agent proceeded to tell the victim they would refund him the $400 USD he paid for the service to his bank account. A few days passed and then he was contacted once again by the scammers and this time they told him that they had refunded him too much in error and they asked for him to send the extra $18,000 back to their overseas bank account. 

The victim reported the scammers accessed his online account and showed him the $18,000 in his bank account so he thought it was safe to proceed. He went to his local branch with the intention of sending an international money transfer however he was alerted to the scam by his bank. 

The victim learned the scammers shifted the funds from a seldom used account into his chequing account without his knowledge. The victim reported the scammers were very persistent and had called him a dozen times in a matter of an hour on the day when he was supposed to send the money transfer. 

The victim in this matter is very thankful his bank alerted him to this scam otherwise he would have been out a very significant amount of money.

Here are some tips on how to spot and avoid tech support scams 

Most often tech support scams come in the form of a “pop-up” window and they may try to look like a trusted antivirus software company. They will want you to call a toll-free number, they will create a sense of urgency and they will threaten you that you may lose personal data if you don’t call. They will then ask for a fee for products that they want to sell you to help clean up your computer. These products range from worthless to malicious.

This is what you should do.

• If you get a phone call you didn’t expect from someone who says there’s a problem with your computer, hang up. 

• If you get a pop-up warning on your computer alerting you to a security issue, even though it may look legitimate, never call the provided number to get help. Real security warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number.

• Do not click on any links or call a phone number.

• Don’t send any money or make a wire transfer.

• Don’t pay with a gift card.

• Don’t give anyone your bank account, credit card or other payment information.

• Don’t give anyone control of your computer.

• Keep your security software up to date.

• If you need help, contact a computer technician that you trust

• Report the matter to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

• Tell someone about this scam, as you might help prevent someone else getting scammed.

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to investigate a break, enter and theft that took place in Exeter earlier this week.

Sometime between January 5^th at 5:00 p.m. and January 7^th at 8:00 a.m. suspects forced entry into the business located on Main Street South in Exeter. Once inside the consignment store the suspects stole multiple pairs of high end jeans, shoes, purses, costume jewellery, a Samsung tablet and a small amount of cash. 

The initial estimate of the value of the stolen goods is approximately $3,500.

Any person with information regarding this crime should immediately contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 482-1677. 

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.p3tips.com, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – Two people have been arrested after they were found in a stolen vehicle Township of Perth East earlier this week.

On January 06 2020, just after 2:00 p.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a traffic complaint on Perth Road 121, south of Millbank. The vehicle eventually stopped on the roadway when it ran out of gas, and officers located two occupants inside.

The investigation revealed that the white cargo van and the licence plates were stolen. The driver and passenger were both arrested at the scene.

As a result, Adam Michael WALSH, 36, of Kitchener, has been charged with:

• Fail to Comply with Probation Officer
• Failure to Comply with Release Order
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (two counts)
• Possession of Over 30 grams of Cannabis in a Public Place

Also, Jessica PHANENHOUR, 27, of Waterloo, has been charged with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (two counts)
• Drive Motor Vehicle – No Licence

The accused parties were released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford at a later date to answer to the charges.

Anyone with information regarding this or any incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.