Category: Essa

(ESSA TOWNSHIP, ON) (CLEARVIEW TOWNSHIP, ON)– Members of the Nottawasaga Detachment and Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged a prohibited driver after an impaired driving investigation that began in Essa Township and concluded in Clearview Township on February 4, 2026.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., police received a report of a possible impaired driver in a white Honda Civic in Essa Township. Officers located the vehicle a short time later as it attempted to leave the area. Police attempted to stop the driver who fled at a high rate of speed.

Shortly before 9:30 a.m., police were notified that the vehicle had arrived at a construction site in Clearview Township. Four occupants fled the vehicle. Officers located the driver hiding behind a building. They attempted to flee on foot but were arrested after a brief foot pursuit. Three passengers were later located and found to not be involved in the driving offences.

As a result of the investigation, Bruce CHURCHILL, a 45-year-old of Barrie has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

• Operation while impaired – blood drug concentration

• Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code

• Flight from peace officer

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused party was held for a Bail hearing and had their drivers licence suspended for 90 days, and their vehicle impounded for 45 days.

The OPP remains committed to keeping Ontario roads safe from impaired drivers. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1 immediately to report it. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

(ESSA TOWNSHIP, ON) (NEW TECUMSETH, ON) – Members of the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged two individuals with impaired driving offences following traffic complaints for suspected impaired drivers.

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, shortly after 3:00 PM, Nottawasaga OPP officers responded to two calls for service in separate townships both reporting possible impaired drivers.

As a result of the investigations, officers arrested both drivers for impaired driving. 

The driver from the first complaint, Dwayne TAGGART, a 63-year-old, of Essa Township, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

• Failure or refusal to comply with demand

The driver from the second complaint, Tammy HURD, a 47-year-old, of New Tecumseth, has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused parties were released on Form 10 Undertakings and are scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Bradford to answer to the charges.

The Nottawasaga OPP wants to thank the public for assisting in keeping Ontario roads safe from impaired drivers. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1 immediately to report it. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

(ESSA, ON)- Members of the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged one individual with impaired driving following a single motor vehicle collision in Essa Township.

On November 21, 2025, shortly before midnight., Nottawasaga OPP responded to a single in the ditch on the 3rd Line north of 5th Sideroad in Essa Township. Officers located the vehicle and met with the driver, during the interaction, grounds were formed that the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol leading to the driver’s arrest. The driver was transported to local hospital with minor injuries, later released and transported back to the Nottawasaga Detachment.  

As a result of the investigation, Bryan PENNY 37-years-old of Essa was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

The accused is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Bradford on December 11, 2025, to answer to the charges.

(ESSA, ON) – As a result of a lengthy police investigation, members of the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), have arrested and charged an individual in connection to a fraud investigation in Essa Township.

The Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has concluded a fraud investigation that began on May 14, 2025, following a report from a local minor hockey league association regarding a substantial financial discrepancy.

The association’s executive team identified that approximately $77,299 was missing from its operational account. Through internal efforts, the association was able to recover $54,000 from a former board member. At this time, a thorough police investigation determined that the individual within the organization responsible for managing a portion of the association’s funds had committed fraud.

As a result, Julianna DININO, 33-years-old, of New Brunswick, has been arrested and charged with the following:

• Criminal Breach of Trust
• Fraud Over $5000

The accused has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on November 20, 2025.

Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

(ESSA, ON) – Officers from the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged one individual following a suspicious persons call that led to the recovery of stolen property and multiple charges related to thefts from motor vehicles.

On October 27, 2025, shortly after 1:00 a.m., officers received a report from a resident on Brentwood Road in Essa Township regarding a female suspect observed attempting to enter parked vehicles. The complainant maintained visual contact with the suspect, who was described as a caucasian female wearing a hoodie, dark jacket, and long black pants with stripes, and riding a bicycle.

Officers quickly responded to the area and located the suspect near 53 Brentwood Road. Upon investigation, officers discovered the female in possession of multiple items, not belonging to her.

As a result of the investigation, Justine HALL 31-years-old, of no fixed address was arrested and charged with the following:

• Trespassing at Night
• Theft Under $5000
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – in Canada
• Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court – Four Counts

The accused was arrested and transported to the Nottawasaga OPP detachment, where she was held for a bail hearing.

Police recovered several items such as a wallet and gift cards believed to be stolen and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the rightful owners. If you believe you may be a victim of the thefts or have information related to this investigation, please contact the Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122 reference report number (E251458413). Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at http://www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

(ESSA, ON) – Members of the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged one individual with impaired driving following a two-vehicle collision in Essa Township.

On October 18, 2025, shortly before 10:00 p.m., Nottawasaga OPP responded to an automatic crash notification on County Road 56 between 20 Sideroad and 25 Sideroad. Upon arrival, officers located two vehicles involved in the collision.

One vehicle was located in the ditch with moderate front-end damage. The second vehicle, was located upside down on the west side of the roadway. Investigations revealed that while travelling southbound, a northbound vehicle entered the opposite lane forcing the driver to swerve and leave the roadway to avoid a head-on collision. Both drivers were assessed by EMS as a precaution and reported no injuries.

Prior to the collision, officer had received a driving complaint regarding one of the vehicles, which was reportedly travelling at high speeds, drifting into oncoming lanes, braking erratically, and preventing other vehicles from merging.

During the interaction, grounds were formed that one of the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol, leading to the driver’s arrest.  

As a result of the investigation, Edwin SHAJI 23 of Barrie was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bradford on November 20, 2025, to answer to the charges.

The OPP remains committed to ensuring Ontario roads are safe from impaired drivers. If you suspect someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1 to report it. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

For more information about the penalties of driving impaired, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving