Category: OPP

(OWEN SOUND, ON) – On May 31, 2023, the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police received reports of a possible location for a person with multiple outstanding warrants. The Grey Bruce OPP, with the assistance of the Owen Sound Police Service, located the person and placed them under arrest. A quantity of suspected fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, an imitation handgun, a stun gun, brass knuckles, and a quantity of Canadian currency were located on the individual. 

As a result of the investigation, Darren Gregory KENNAWAY, 42-years-old of Meaford has been charged with the following:

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

·        Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine

·        Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl

·        Fail to Comply with Probation Order

·        Failure to Comply with Release Order – three counts

·        Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose – three counts

·        Unauthorized Possession of Weapon – two counts

The accused was held pending a bail hearing.

(EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK TOWNSHIP, ON) – A two-vehicle collision has claimed the lives of two drivers northwest of Woodstock.

The collision happened shortly before 7:00 a.m. on May 29, 2023, at the intersection of Highway 59 and Oxford County Road 33.

An unmarked Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) vehicle and a school bus collided in the intersection. Tragically, both drivers died as a result of their injuries. There were no students on the bus and no passengers in either vehicle.

Detective Constable Steven TOURANGEAU was with the Huron-Perth Community Street Crime Unit, Perth County OPP Detachment, West Region. He was 35 years old.

The OPP will not be releasing the identity of the other driver, out of respect for the family’s privacy.

“We are deeply saddened over this tragic incident, as two families mourn the loss of their loved ones. I offer my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues affected.” – OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique

The London Police Service will be assuming carriage of the investigation. 

(ERIN, ON) –On January 1, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report of a home invasion at a residence on First Avenue in the town of Erin. Approximately $350 worth of various items were stolen and one occupant received minor injuries during the incident. At the time, the Wellington County OPP asked for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects. 

On January 19, 2023, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a home invasion at the same residence on First Avenue in the town of Erin. It was reported that a single suspect threatened the occupants with a baseball bat. The suspect fled the scene and no items were stolen. Investigators determined that this suspect had also been involved in the earlier home invasion.  

As a result of the investigation, Ethan J. SKETCHLEY, 21-years-old of Alton has been charged with the following offences:

·        Robbery – two counts

·        Assault with a Weapon – two counts

·        Break and Enter – two counts

·        Disguise with Intent – two counts

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph on July 21, 2023. 

The Wellington County Crime Unit is continuing to investigate and is asking that anyone with any information regarding the second suspect to please contact D/C Watson with the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. The suspect is described as a white male, thin build, deep voice, wearing dark clothing and a black ski mask.

(NORTH MIDDLESEX, ON) – On May 23, 2023, at 7:38 a.m., members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to an address on Ailsa Craig Main Street in the town of Ailsa Craig, North Middlesex, for the report of a suspicious vehicle.

Police arrived on scene and observed an individual passed out inside.

Officers were able to wake the driver, at which time they were removed and placed under arrest without incident.

As a result, Shawn THOMPSON, a 38-year-old of Parkhill, has been charged under the Criminal Code with:

·      Operation while impaired – blood drug concentration

·      Possession Break In Instruments

·      Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court

The accused was held for a bail hearing.  

The Middlesex OPP wants to remind the public that if you see anything suspicious or suspect an impaired driver you should contact the Ontario Provincial Police or your nearest police authority immediately.

If you have any information that could assist with the investigation, the OPP can be reached anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. 

(ORILLIA, ON) – Thousands of drivers chose to make Ontario roads unsafe leading up to and during the Victoria Day long weekend, with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laying approximately 12,600 traffic-related charges during Canada Road Safety Week.    

Sadly, the OPP responded to seven road fatalities during the annual initiative, with three of the fatal collisions occurring over the long weekend. 

While the results are preliminary, the OPP laid close to 6,900 speeding charges across the province. Aggressive drivers also racked up more than 175 stunt driving/racing charges.     

Preliminary charge numbers associated with other road behaviours targeted during the campaign are as follows:

Impaired driving:    245  

Distracted driving: 144 

Careless driving:   124

No seatbelt:           622 (charges apply to drivers and passengers)

The balance of the offences for which the OPP held drivers to account were the result of other unlawful and unsafe moving violations and driver actions. 

The OPP thanks all drivers and other road users who did their part to help keep the motoring public safe during the annual campaign…and do so throughout the year.  

(GRAND BEND, ON) – On May 11, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., members of the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were contacted regarding an altercation that was taking place at a residence on Ontario Street North.   

When officers arrived, one of the involved individuals approached wielding a knife toward the officers. Other officers attended from Lambton and Huron County and ensured the safety of the immediate area by blocking portions of the roadway and evacuating neighbouring homes, while de-escalation took place. The individual was taken into custody after the successful deployment of a conducted energy weapon (‘Taser’).    

Cameron WALSH, 28-years-old of North Middlesex, has been charged with the following:

• Assault a peace officer,
• Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose,
• Uttering threats to cause death,
• Failure to comply with probation (three counts),
• Failure to comply with undertaking (three counts),
• Possession of a prohibited device and,
• Possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition order.  

The accused has been held in custody following a bail hearing on May 12, 2023. 

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – On May 6, 2023, a male was located at a residence in the Municipality of North Perth and was arrested for previous property offences including being in possession of a stolen ATV.

On April 8, 2023, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a break and enter at a barn at a residence located on Perth Line 86 in North Perth.

Sometime overnight on April 7, 2023, and April 8, 2023, suspect(s) forced the door and removed an ATV. 

As a result, Jeremy WELSH, a 25-year-old of North Perth, has been arrested and charged with:

–      Possession Property Obtained By Crime Over $5,000

–      Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court

–      Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing. 

(NORTH MIDDLESEX, ON) – On May 9, 2023, at 9:46 p.m., members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and North Middlesex fire, were dispatched to a single motor vehicle collision on Elm Tree Drive in North Middlesex.

Investigation revealed the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a hydro pole.

An Approved Screening Device (ASD) was utilized. The driver was arrested and transported to the Middlesex OPP detachment where further tests were administered.

As a result, Jason SUTHERLAND, a 51-year-old of North Middlesex, has been charged under the Criminal Code with:

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

The accused has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice to speak to the charges on July 20, 2023.

The Middlesex OPP wants to remind the public that if you see anything suspicious or suspect an impaired driver you should contact the Ontario Provincial Police or your nearest police authority immediately.

The OPP can be reached anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. 

(KINCARDINE, ON) – On May 5, 2023, at 11:19 p.m., a South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer stopped a vehicle along Highway 21 in the Municipality of Kincardine. 

The driver was found to have been drinking alcohol. They were placed under arrest and taken to a Qualified Intoxilizer Technician for breath tests.

Darren STECKLE, 22-years-old, from the Municipality of Bluewater was charged with Operate over 80 milligrams.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Walkerton on June 14, 2023, to answer to the charges.

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