Category: OPP

(ST. CLAIR RIVER, ON) – On July 31, 2021 at approximately 7:15 p.m., members of the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were notified by an off-duty officer of an impaired boater in the Fawn Island Canal.  

The off-duty officer observed the boater collide with a nearby dock while operating the boat with multiple young passengers onboard. Upon speaking with the driver, it became apparent the individual was displaying signs of impairment. The driver was arrested by the off-duty officer and transported to a nearby boat launch where custody was transferred to on-duty Lambton OPP officers. The driver was then transported to an OPP detachment where they provided two samples of breath above the legal limit.

Christopher DUNCAN, 52-years-old of London, has been charged with the following:

• Operation While Impaired and,
• Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus). 

The accused has been released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on September 13, 2021. 

(CHATHAM-KENT, ON) – On July 19, 2021, members of the Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) program on the Highway 401 Eastbound on ramp from Queen’s Line in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Police spoke with a vehicle driver that entered the R.I.D.E. and an Approved Screening Device was utilized. The driver was arrested and transported to a local OPP detachment where further tests were administered.

Spencer A. BAKER, 25-years-old, of Chatham, was charged with:

• Operation While Impaired- Blood and Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

A 90-day driving suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment was initiated as per statute. The accused in this matter was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham at a later date to answer to the charge.

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 immediately.

(MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM, ON) – An individual has been charged in relation to an incident at a fire pit at a residence on Vienna Line in the Municipality of Bayham on July 12, 2021. A one-year old child died as a result of injuries suffered in the incident. Two adults and two other children were injured.

Johan HIEBERT, 55-years-old, of the Municipality of Bayham, has been charged with the following offences:

·      Criminal Negligence Causing Death.

·      Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm (four counts).

The accused will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Thomas on September 7, 2021.

The incident remains under investigation by the Elgin County OPP Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), and in conjunction with Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario, Ontario Forensic Pathology Services and Office of the Fire Marshal.

(LEAMINGTON, ON) -On July 17, 2021 members of the Leamington Detachment Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a break and Enter to a residence in the Municipality of Leamington.

It was reported that a male entered the victim’s residence while she was sleeping and inappropriately touched her before being chased out of the residence.

Through police investigation, Marane F. THOMPSON, 58 years old of Leamington, Ontario was arrested on July 21, 2021. 

 The accused has been charged with the following offences:

• Break, Enter dwelling house – commit indictable offence
• Sexual Assault

The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.

Police are reminding the public to ensure that you lock your doors whenever possible.

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

(ELGIN COUNTY, ON) – On July 21, 2021, at approximately 7:10 p.m., the Elgin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a possible drowning in Lake Erie, between Port Bruce and Port Burwell, Malahide Township.

Members of OPP, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (JRCC), the Canadian Coast Guard, Elgin – St. Thomas Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Malahide Fire Services assisted.

Investigation determined that an individual fell into the water from a vessel while fishing with friends. The individual was pulled from the water and transported to land, where he was taken to hospital. 

Life saving measures were initiated by friends and continued by paramedics, however he later died in hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Ryan LEPPARD-GROENEWEGEN, 49-years-old of London.

No foul play is suspected.

(SOUTHGATE, ON) – On July 9, 2021, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Guelph Wellington Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the North Wellington Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles on Highway 6 at Grey Road 6 in the Township of Southgate.

A driver was transported to hospital with serious injuries where he was later pronounced deceased. He has been identified as 52-year-old Thomas GARTLEY of Priceville.

The Grey Bruce OPP would like to take this time to thank members of the public that stopped to provide assistance to those involved.

(LEAMINGTON, ON) – On July 12, 2021, at approximately 6:24 p.m., members of the Leamington Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a suspicious person call to a business on Erie Street South in the Municipality of Leamington, On.

Officers located two males in a motor vehicle in the parking lot of the business.

As a result, the investigation revealed approximately $11,500 worth of illicit drugs were located.

Thiago Braga SOUSA, a 33-year-old from Leamington, has been charged with:

·        Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin)

·        Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking-cocaine

·        Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court (Two counts)

 Shawn Andrew BORGES, a 34-year-old from Leamington, has been charged with:

·        Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking-Opioid (other than heroin)

·        Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking-cocaine

The accused have been released from police custody and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Leamington, Ontario on September 6, 2021.