Category: Police Press Releases

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is announcing that, as of today, it will be using the mobile application what3words in its Provincial Communications Centres (PCCs). In an emergency situation, if a caller contacts an OPP PCC and doesn’t know where they are, the app will help call-takers pinpoint the caller’s location so that OPP officers can quickly respond and more accurately know where to find the person(s) in need.

Use of the app will benefit both frontline OPP officers and PCC staff. Through its global mapping system, the app labels every three squared metres with a unique three-word location tag. The PCC call taker is able to enter the three words into the system, which converts the tag into latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. With the proper coordinates in hand, the PCC can direct officers to the precise location of the person in need.

When a member of the public contacts an OPP PCC, the call-taker will ask them if they are familiar with the app and if they have it downloaded onto their device. If they don’t have the app already downloaded on their phone, the call-taker can send callers a link that will automatically show them their three-word location tag. This process requires minimal cellular and data signals for the caller’s phone to first receive the link and then for them to open and load their location tag from it. If a caller already has the app downloaded on their device, it works without internet or data, so they can still provide the PCC with their location code even in locations without a cellular signal.

The process will assist OPP officers in locating parties in remote and forested areas where signal is limited and on vast waterways. The use of technology can offer many benefits and the OPP is proud to incorporate progressive tools such as this one to assist with its goal of a safer Ontario for everyone. The OPP is encouraging members of the public to download the free app in case of emergency.

“The what3words app offers precise location information when a caller cannot describe, or does not know, where they are. This exciting technology may help save precious time in an emergency and enable a more rapid frontline response.” – A/Chief Karen Meyer

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers are investigating the recent theft of a pickup truck stolen from a business located south of Exeter.

The stolen truck was taken from a parking lot of a business located on Crediton Road on November 26, 2020. At approximately 4:30 a.m. suspects entered into the parking lot in a black GMC Sierra pickup and within minutes both vehicles are seen leaving the property heading westbound on Crediton Road.

The stolen truck, is described as a 2004 red Chevrolet Silverado pickup with a 5^th wheel hitch in the bed of the truck. The stolen truck looks similar to the one in the attached photo.

Any person with information regarding this theft 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), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(NORTH HURON, ON) – A Morris-Turnberry resident is facing a shoplifting charge after he was caught last week stealing from a grocery store in Wingham.

Shortly before 2:00 p.m. on November 23, 2020 a Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer happened to be in the right spot at the right time in Wingham when a shoplifting incident unfolded.

The officer watched as a store employee yelled at and followed a suspect out of a grocery store for shoplifting. The officer quickly took action and detained the suspect. A subsequent search revealed the suspect had taken several items of food from the store.

Tyler SMITH, 35 years of age from Morris-Turnberry has been charged with Theft Under $5,000. He has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for January 11, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(HOWICK, ON) – A fatal two-vehicle crash that took place this summer on Harriston Road has now resulted in charges against a Howick resident. 

Brandon COX, a 24-year-old from Clifford was killed in the collision that took place on August 19, 2020 west of Harriston.

Investigators from the West Region OPP Traffic Incident Management & Enforcement (TIME) Team and the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment conducted the investigation and it was determined the defendant’s pickup truck had crossed over the centre line into the path of the deceased’s vehicle.  

Nathan CRAWFORD, a 33-year-old from Howick is facing the following charges:

·        Careless Driving Causing Death

·        Operate a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance

·        Driver – Fail to Properly Wear Seat Belt

A court date has been scheduled for January 5, 2021 at Provincial Offences Court in Goderich. 

(TOWNSHIP OF GUELPH-ERAMOSA, ON) – On November 29, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a motor vehicle driving erratically on Highway 7 near Watson Road in the Township of Guelph-Eramosa.

Police located the vehicle and spoke with the driver and determined that their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol and they were place under arrest. The driver was transported to a local OPP Operation Centre for further testing.

Rebecca Lynn MCBROOM, 26-years-old of Toronto has been charged with Impaired Operation-alcohol or drug, Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood), and Operate Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor.

 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 8, 2021.

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.

(COUNTY OF BRANT, ON) – County of Brant, Oxford, Norfolk, Huron and Elgin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Units (CSCU) with the OPP West Region Emergency Response Team along with Niagara Regional Police Criminal Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a business on Brant School Road in Cainsville in the County of Brant on November 26, 2020.

Police located nearly $100,000 in stolen property and several thousand illegal cannabis plants.

As a result of the warrant the following persons were arrested and charged:

Duc Sai LUONG 57-years-old of Mississauga Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

Duc NGO 42-years-old of Toronto Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Cultivate, propagate or harvest Illicit Cannabis not in a dwelling Contrary to Section 12 (6) (a) of The Cannabis Act.

Houng NGUYEN 48years-old of Toronto Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Cultivate, propagate or harvest Illicit Cannabis not in a dwelling Contrary to Section 12 (6) (a) of The Cannabis Act.

Long TRAN 41-years-old of North York Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Cultivate, propagate or harvest Illicit Cannabis not in a dwelling Contrary to Section 12 (6) (a) of The Cannabis Act.

The accused persons will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford at a later date to answer to their charges.

Anyone with information about any incident in the County of Brant can call the County of Brant OPP at 1-888-310-1122. 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.crimestoppers-brant.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(TOWN OF MINTO, ON) – On November 29, 2020, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a motor vehicle driving erratically on Wellington Road 123 near Palmerston.

Police located the vehicle and spoke with the driver and determined that they had alcohol in their body. A Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail. The driver was transported to a local OPP Operation Centre for further testing.

Andrea Roberta SCHEFFEL, 39-years-old of North Perth has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code.

 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 December 18, 2020.

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.

(TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON NORTH, ON) – On November 27, 2020 at approximately 2:30 p.m., a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was monitoring traffic and conducting radar on Wellington Road 16 in the hamlet of Damascus.

The officer observed a southbound motor vehicle travelling at a speed that appeared to be well above the posted 50 km/h speed limit. The vehicle was locked on radar in excess of 105 km/h.

April Lynn MESSAM, 18-year-old of Grand Valley has been charged with Racing a Motor Vehicle contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Provincial Offences Court – Guelph on May 5, 2021. The vehicle and driver’s licence were seized for a period of seven days as per statute.

(TOWNSHIP OF PUSLINCH, ON) – On Thursday November 26, 2020 at approximately 6:30 p.m. members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a passenger vehicle in a ditch on Little Road near Wellington Road 36 in Puslinch Township.

Police located the vehicle and while speaking with the driver determined that their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to a local police station for further testing.

Martin A. PEDERSEN, 42-years-old of Guelph has been charged with Impaired Operation and Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code

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 December 18, 2020.

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.

(CITY OF GUELPH, ON) – On November 29, 2020, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with the Guelph Police Service, Guelph Fire Department, and Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service responded to a three-vehicle collision involving a tractor-trailer and two passenger vehicles. The collision occurred at the intersection of Hanlon Parkway at Kortright Road in the City of Guelph.

Initial reports indicated that a northbound tractor-trailer collided into the back of a vehicle causing a chain-reaction collision. The driver of tractor-trailer ran from the scene and was arrested nearby by members of the Guelph Police Service.  The truck driver was then turned over to the OPP.

Two occupants in one of the vehicles were transported to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Dilpreet SINGH, 25-years-old of Brampton has been charged with two counts Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm and two counts of Fail to Stop at Accident Resulting in Bodily Harm contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. 

The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on January 8, 2021 to answer to the charges.

 The Wellington County OPP is asking anyone that may have witnessed this collision to please call 1-888-310-1122.