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.

(LAMBTON SHORES, ON) – On July 2, 2021 at 3:45 a.m., members of the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a vehicle on Lakeshore Road driving without its headlights illuminated. A traffic stop was initiated and the vehicle came to a stop on Klondyke Road, Lambton Shores.

Upon speaking with the driver, it became apparent the driver had consumed an alcoholic beverage and was displaying signs of impairment. The driver was arrested and transported to the Lambton OPP detachment where they provided two samples of breath above the legal limit.  

Steven BRODIE, 19-years-old of Adelaide-Metcalfe Township has been charged with the following:

•  Operation While Impaired- Alcohol and Blood
• 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 August 9, 2021.

If you see a driver you suspect may be impaired by alcohol or drugs, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or *OPP (677) on your mobile phone. Your call could make our roads safer for all.

(BRANT COUNTY, ON) – Over the course of the weekend, members of the Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were busy doing their part to keep our communities safe. This weekend finished off the Canada Day Week traffic initiative where OPP officers across the province focused on enforcement and education specifically around “The BIG 4” causal factors in serious injury and fatal collisions.

·      Aggressive driving

·      Seatbelts

·      Distracted driving

·      Impaired driving.

 (Shellard Lane) – 14 DAY VEHICLE IMPOUND FOR STUNT DRIVER

On Friday, July 2, 2021 at 3:14 p.m., an officer with the Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) initiated a traffic stop on Shellard Lane. The officer was conducting traffic enforcement when they located a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle’s speed was locked on radar at more than 40 km/h over the speed limit in a posted 50 km/h zone.

Police have charged James Christopher HOLLOWAY, 39 years-of-age from the County of Brant with:

·      Race a motor vehicle – excessive speed and

·      Speeding 40+ kilometres per hour over the speed limit.

The vehicle was impounded at the roadside for 14 days under new legislation that came into effect on the same date. 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.

 (Cainsville) – CONCERNED CITIZENS CALL RESULTS IN IMPAIRED CHARGES

On Saturday, July 3, 2021, at approximately 12:59 a.m., officers with the Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at a business address on Colborne Street East in the County of Brant.

Police located the vehicle and had a conversation with the occupant. As a result of their investigation, police have charged Sebastian STONE, 31 years-of-age from Scarborough with:

·      Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs and

·      Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine.

The accused has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Brantford, Ontario at a later date.

(Grand River) – COUNTY OF BRANT FIRE PULLS COUPLE FROM GRAND RIVER

On Saturday, July 3, 2021, at approximately 3:05 p.m. members of Brant County OPP responded to a marine call for a vessel in distress on the Grand River in the County of Brant.

County of Brant Fire members attended the area and located two people on an air-filled vessel that had deflated. Both parties were safely assisted to shore. As a result of their investigation, police have charged a 30 year-old from Brantford with: 

·      Being Intoxicated in a Public Place

The accused has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Brantford, Ontario at a later date.

(Brant North) – WALLET AND PURSE STOLEN FROM UNLOCKED VEHICLE

Sunday July 4, 2021 members of Brant County OPP received a theft report from a rural address on Drumbo Road in the County of Brant.

Sometime overnight or early morning, unknowns attended the address and removed a wallet and purse from an unlocked vehicle parked on the property. No suspects have been identified.

Brant OPP continue to investigate and are asking anyone who may have video surveillance or who may have noticed any suspicious persons or vehicles, or have any information regarding these incidents to contact them at 1- 888 – 310 – 1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 – 222 – 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.crimestoppers-brant.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

Avoid becoming a victim. Always secure your vehicle doors when parking your vehicle, even if you are only going to be a few minutes or are at your residence. Never leave valuable objects, wallets, purses or packages in full view. Remove them or lock them in the trunk.

(Oakland/Burford) – GRAFFITTI DISCOVERED AT TWO MASONIC LODGES

Friday July 2, 2021 members of Brant County OPP received a report for a mischief to property at the Oakland Masonic Lodge. Shortly afterwards, OPP received a report for similar damage at the Burford Masonic Lodge.

Police attended both scenes and located graffiti damage using paint and markers to the windows and doors of both facilities. No suspects have been identified.

Brant OPP continue to investigate and are asking anyone who may have video surveillance or who may have noticed any suspicious persons or vehicles, or have any information regarding these incidents to contact them at 1- 888 – 310 – 1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 – 222 – 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.crimestoppers-brant.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.