Category: Police Press Releases

 (NORTH PERTH, ON) – One person was charged after reports of a suspicious male in the area of Binning Street West and Victoria Avenue North in the Municipality of North Perth wearing a headlamp, and going through garbage bins.

On April 9, 2022, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a suspicious male on Binning Street West in Listowel. The male was located and was found to be in possession of various Break and Enter tools, and a tool for cutting wire. 

Donald STEPHENS, 53, of North Perth, has been charged with:

–      Possession Break In Instruments

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford at a later date to answer to the charge.

(TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE WELLINGTON, ON) – On April 19, 2022, Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a fraud complaint from a Centre Wellington resident. It was reported that an unknown suspect provoked the victim to purchase and transfer over $50,000 in Bitcoin and gift cards.

The victim was lead to believe that someone had attempted to access their credit card and bank account. The victim was then asked to assist the bank in tracking down the made-up criminal. Over a series of days, the victim saw funds placed into their account and was then directed to purchase gift cards and Bitcoins with those new funds. The victim was then instructed to share the information from the Bitcoin and gift card purchases to the scammer. The victim believed there was no risk as those new funds appeared in their account, however, investigation revealed that those funds were actually being transferred from one of the victims other accounts. In conclusion, the victim had lost over $50,000 to the unknown fraudster.

This type of scam starts off by causing stress, fear and panic in the potential victim making them desperate for solutions. Police would like to remind the public the banks don’t turn customers into “agents” for their investigations. Always ensure that you are dealing with the authorities, call your local bank using a previously validated phone number and confirm that what you’ve been told is true. You are liable and put yourself in financial risk when you disclose banking information. Start looking out for yourself, stop trusting people you are unfamiliar with and keep your guard up when it comes to unsolicited contact over the phone or electronic communications.

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – One person was charged after a collision in North Perth resulted in minor injuries.

On April 5, 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a collision between a vehicle and a cyclist on Havelock Avenue South at Main Street West, in Listowel. The investigation indicated that the vehicle collided with the cyclist.

One person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As a result, a 61 year old resident of Listowel, has been charged with:

–      Fail to yield to pedestrian

The accused was issued a Provincial Notice for the offence.

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – One person was charged after they damaged a door to an apartment in North Perth.

On April 6, 2022, at approximately 3:45 p.m., police responded to an address on Barber Avenue North in Listowel, after getting complaints of two suspects using a tool to enter a back door to an apartment.

As a result, Samuel MCLEAN, 60, of North Perth, has been charged with:

–      Mischief Under $5,000

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford at a later date to answer to the charges.

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – One person was charged with multiple offences after leaving the scene of a collision, and not reporting it to police.

On April 9, 2022, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to Line 60 in the Municipality of North Perth for a single vehicle rollover collision.

When police arrived on scene, damages to a hydro pole were observed, and power lines were both suspended and laying across the roadway. The vehicle was unoccupied. 

The driver was later located at a residence uninjured.

As a result, Palmer SMITH, 27, of Monkton, has been charged with:

–      Fail to remain at accident scene

–      Fail to report accident

The accused was issued two Provincial Offences Notices for the offences.

(GREY HIGHLANDS, ON) – On April 2, 2022 the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and the Grey Bruce Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), executed a search warrant at a property in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

Police arrested two individuals and seized a quantity of stolen property.

The Grey Bruce OPP have charged Robert SMYKAL, 51-years-old of Grey Highlands with the following offences:

·        Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000 (four counts)

·        Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000

·        Knowledge of unauthorized possession of weapon (three counts)

·        Failure to comply with release order

The accused was held pending a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice.

The Grey Bruce OPP have also charged Stefan SMYKAL, 87-years-old, of Grey Highlands with the following offences:

·        Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000 (three counts)

·        Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000 (three counts)

·        Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition

The accused was released and is required to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound at a later date.

(HOWICK, ON) – Officers from the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment are currently on scene of a two-vehicle crash located west of Clifford.

Shortly before 11:00 a.m. this morning, Huron County OPP, Huron County Paramedic Services and Howick Fire Department responded to the crash scene located at the intersection of Howick-Turnberry Road (Huron County #7) & McIntosh Line (Huron County #28).

Upon arrival first responders located two heavily damaged sport utility vehicles. One of the drivers was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the other was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. 

Howick-Turnberry Road at McIntosh Line will be closed for approximately another hour.

Any person with information regarding this crash is asked to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 482-1677. 

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – A resident of Parkhill is facing criminal charges following an incident that took place in Huron Park last week.

On April 6, 2022 at approximately 10:42 a.m. Huron OPP officers responded to a business located on Canada Boulevard to investigate an attempted theft. Upon arrival officers learned the accused was caught in the act of trying to steal a catalytic converter off of a vehicle parked in the company parking lot. The theft was interrupted and the accused fled the scene in a pickup truck.

Officers began patrolling for the suspect and a short time later an officer located the suspect vehicle in Centralia. When spotted by police the driver took off running however the officer was able to locate and arrest the accused. Further checks were made on the vehicle the accused was driving and it was determined to be stolen from London a few days earlier. 

Shawn THOMPSON, 37 years of age from Parkhill has been charged with Theft Under $5,000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 and Driving While Under Suspension.

The accused was released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for June 6, 2022 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.   

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a London resident with Racing – Excessive Speed following a traffic stop last night.

At approximately 7:15 p.m. a Huron OPP officer was conducting stationary RADAR enforcement on London Road (Highway 4) south of Exeter when he observed a delivery van travelling southbound at a high rate of speed.

The officer utilized a RADAR device and was able to obtain a speed reading of the vehicle in excess of 50 km/h over the posted 80 km/h speed limit. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was subsequently charged.

Obaida ALHAIDAR, 23 years of age from London has been charged with Race a Motor Vehicle – Excessive Speed. The defendant will now have to attend Provincial Offences Act Court in Goderich to answer to the charge. 

Additionally, the van has been impounded for 14 days and a 30-day driver’s licence suspension has been served on the driver. 

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) – Three more people have been charged with impaired related offences in Perth County, including one who was travelling over 142km/h.

On March 26, 2022, just before 2:00 a.m., a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was on general patrol when a vehicle stop was conducted on Perth Road 155, in the Municipality of West Perth. During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had consumed alcohol. An Approved Screening Device was used, and they were arrested, and transported to a local operations centre for further testing.

Jeffrey BLACK, 36, of West Perth, has been charged with:

–       Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

On March 27, 2022, just after 2:00 a.m., a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer observed a vehicle that was driving in a concerning manner. The vehicle was stopped on Line 36, in the Township of Perth East.

During the investigation, the driver was showing signs of impairment. The driver was arrested, and transported to a local operations centre for further testing.

Scott CHILDERLEY, 31, of West Perth, has been charged with:

–       Operation while Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs

–       Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

–       Possession of Over 30g Dried Cannabis (or equivalent) in a public place

On April 9, 2022, just before 10:00 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a traffic complaint from a citizen, who witnessed concerning driving behaviour. The vehicle was observed by an officer travelling at over 142km/h in an 80km/h zone. It was stopped on Perth Line 43, in the Township of Perth East.

During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had consumed alcohol. An Approved Screening Device was used, and the driver was arrested, and transported to a local operations centre for further testing.

Matthew ROONEY, 37, of Kitchener, has been charged with:

–       Race a Motor Vehicle – Excessive Speed

–       Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

All of the accused parties were released from custody and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford at a later date to answer to the charges. A 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (A.D.L.S.) and 7-day Vehicle Impoundment was initiated as per statute, except in the case of the stunt drive, which is a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

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.

Anyone with information regarding this or any incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. 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.P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – A resident of Lambton Shores is facing an Operation While Impaired – Cause Bodily Harm charge following a two-vehicle crash this past weekend north of Grand Bend.

On Sunday, June 10, 2022 at approximately 2:25 p.m. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers and Huron County Paramedic Services responded to a two-vehicle crash located on Bluewater Veteran’s Highway (Highway 21) south of Dashwood Road.

Upon arrival officers located a heavily damaged pickup truck on the roadway along with a sport utility vehicle in the west ditch. The driver and passenger from the sport utility vehicle were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Upon speaking with the driver of the pickup truck the investigating officer noted the driver was displaying several signs of impairment. Consequently the driver was placed under arrest for Impaired Operation and was later charged.

Gerard JONES, 77 years of age from Lambton Shores has been charged with Operation While Impaired – Cause Bodily Harm along with two provincial offences act charges.

The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for May 30, 2022 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.  

(TOWNSHIP OF PUSLINCH, ON) – On April 12, 2022, members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a mischief that occurred at a business on Nicholas Beaver Road, south of Guelph.

It was determined that sometime overnight (April 11-12), unknowns attended the location and damaged approximately 200 tires on multiple commercial motor vehicles (CMV) at the location. The damage is estimated to be over $200,000. 

If you can help police with this investigation please contact Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

(HOWICK, ON) – A resident of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh is now facing a Stunt Driving charge for Excessive Speed following a traffic stop conducted by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Gorrie this week.

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at approximately 8:26 a.m., a Huron OPP officer was conducting speed enforcement patrols in Gorrie when a car was observed travelling Eastbound on Harriston Road at a high rate of speed. 

The officer utilized a RADAR device and was able to obtain a speed reading of the vehicle in excess of 40 km/h over the posted 60 km/h speed limit. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was subsequently charged. 

Cole DRENNAN, 21 years of age from Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has been charged with Perform a Stunt – Speeding. The defendant will now have to attend Provincial Offences Act Court in Goderich to answer to the charge. 

Additionally, the involved vehicle has been impounded for 14 days and a 30-day driver’s licence suspension has been served on the driver. 

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – On March 28, 2022 just before 9:00 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report of a break, enter and theft at a residence under construction on Inkerman Street West in the Municipality of North Perth.

Sometime between March 27, 2022 and March 28, 2022, unknown person(s) forced their way into a residence and removed copper wiring, copper tubing, and some electronics. Damage is estimated at approximately $1500.

The public is asked to report suspicious activity immediately, and remember to lock doors to vehicles, houses, garages and sheds. Do not leave keys with vehicles, including ATVs. Consider installing security features, such as increased lighting, cameras, or alarms.