Category: Police Press Releases

(MORRIS-TURNBERRY, ON) – A resident of Huron East has been charged with Impaired Operation after police received a call about a possible impaired driver stuck in the snow on St. Michael’s Road this past weekend. 

At approximately 2:16 a.m. on January 30, 2022 Huron County OPP officers responded to a report of a pickup truck that was stuck in the snow off of St. Michael’s Road. Upon arrival officers located a pickup truck that appeared to be bottomed out in the snow partially off the shoulder of the roadway. 

The investigating officer spoke with the driver and noticeable signs of impairment were observed. The driver was arrested and was subsequently transported to the Huron OPP Detachment for breath tests. Two samples of breath were provided to the Intoxilizer Technician and both samples were found to be above the legal limit. 

Matthew DEJONG, 36 years of age from Huron East has been charged with Operation While Impaired, Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 80 Plus and Operation While Prohibited – two counts. The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for March 7, 2022 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – A South Huron resident is facing seventeen charges and remains in custody following a drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Huron-Perth Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU).

On January 18, 2022 police executed a search warrant at a residence located on Centre Street in Dashwood. As a result of the search warrant police seized a large quantity of Fentanyl and other controlled substances with a combined street value in excess of $110,000.

Police secured an arrest warrant for the accused and with the assistance of the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Team the accused was located and arrested this past weekend.

Blair SIMMONS, 37 years of age, from Dashwood has been charged with the following offences:

• Possession of Fentanyl for the Purposes of Trafficking
• Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purposes of Trafficking
• Possession of Cocaine for the Purposes of Trafficking
• Possession of Heroin for the Purposes of Trafficking
• Possession of Psilocybin for the Purposes of Trafficking
• Possession of a Firearm contrary to Prohibition Order – 5 counts
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 3 counts
• Careless Storage of a Firearm – 2 counts
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon

The accused remains in custody with a court appearance scheduled for February 1, 2022 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – An observant officer investigating a suspicious vehicle led to a damaged cruiser, and numerous charges for a Stratford resident.

Just after 4:00 a.m. on January 27, 2022, a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer on general patrol on Perth Line 40, in the Township of Perth East, located a suspicious vehicle on a property. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, it struck the cruiser and tried to flee. The vehicle became stuck, and the suspect fled on foot. While fleeing, the suspect committed a break and enter at a nearby property. With the assistance of the OPP Canine and West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), the suspect was located a short distance away and arrested.

The investigation revealed that the vehicle the suspect was operating had been stolen.

As a result, Jacob PATERSON, 26, of Stratford, has been charged with:

–       Break, Enter a Place -Commit Indictable Offence

–       Trespassing at Night

–       Operation while Prohibited under the Criminal Code

–       Dangerous Operation

–       Failure to Stop After Accident

–       Flight from Peace Officer

–       Fail to Comply with Probation Order

–       Possession of Break In Instruments

–       Break, Enter a Place – with Intent to Commit Indictable Offence

–       Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Cocaine

–       Failure to Comply with Release Order – Other than to attend court

–       Trespassing at Night

–       Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

(BRANT TWP, ON) – On January 26, 2022 at 6:51 p.m., the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a single vehicle collision along Concession 2 in Brant Township. Officers arrived to find that the driver had been drinking alcohol.

Alyssa CHAMPAGNE, 19-years-old, of Hanover was charged with Impaired Operation and Operate Over 80 milligrams. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on March 9, 2022 to answer to the charges.

There were no injuries reported at the scene.

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

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – One person was charged after an investigation into a break and enter to a business in North Perth in December.

On December 20 2021, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a break and enter that had occurred at a business on Wallace Avenue North, Listowel. The suspects had broken into a cash room and stole property.

Through the ongoing investigation, a suspect was identified and arrested.

Shawn PINKNEY, 34, of North Perth, has been charged with:

–       Break, Enter a place – Commit Indictable Offence

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.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – One person is facing a number of charges following an investigation into the sale of counterfeit antique money in the Township of Perth East.

On January 26, 2022, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report from the victim, who had purchased antique currency from the suspect using an online ecommerce website. Upon further investigation, the bills were found to be counterfeit.

On January 26, 2022, one person was arrested in relation to this investigation.

On January 27, 2022, Perth County OPP, with the assistance of the West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed a search warrant at a residence on Mill Street West, in the Township of Perth East, in relation to this investigation.

James ROBB, 45, of Perth East, has been charged with:

–       Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money

–       Possessing Counterfeit Money – have in custody

–       Failure to Comply with Release Order – other than to attend court

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

The Perth County OPP believe there may be other victims, and would like to speak with anyone who may have purchased items from the accused.

The Perth County OPP is also encouraging the public to be cautious when purchasing items through ecommerce websites, like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace. If a sale seems too good to be true, it probably is. Never send money before seeing the product, and if the item has a serial number, check to see if it has been reported as stolen by using the Canadian Police Information Centre (C.P.I.C.) for the public website, at: http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/index-eng.htm

(TOWN OF MINTO, ON) – On January 29, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m. a Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer stopped the driver of a grey sedan on Pellister Street West, in the village of Harriston.

As a result of the investigation, James Christopher Nolan YORK, 56-years-old of Harriston has been charged with Impaired Operation, Impaired Operation – 80mg plus of alcohol per 100mL of blood, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possess Unmarked Cigarettes and two counts of Driving While Impaired. 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.

If you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately.

(TOWN OF MINTO, ON) – On January 29, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m. a Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer stopped the driver of a grey sedan on Pellister Street West, in the village of Harriston.

As a result of the investigation, James Christopher Nolan YORK, 56-years-old of Harriston has been charged with Impaired Operation, Impaired Operation – 80mg plus of alcohol per 100mL of blood, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possess Unmarked Cigarettes and two counts of Driving While Impaired. 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.

If you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately.

(COUNTY OF WELLINGTON, ON) – On the morning ofJanuary 27, 2022, at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) members observed a suspected stolen vehicle on Main Street North, Mount Forest. Officer’s approached three parties that were with the grey pickup truck.

As a result of the investigation OPP Community Response Unit (CRU) has laid the following charges:

Pauline Laura SHEARER, 41-years-old of South Bruce Peninsula, was charged with…

• Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order
• Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice
• Occupant of Motor Vehicle Taken Without Consent
• Failure to Comply with Release Order – other than to attend court
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin)
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine

Brandon William BOETTINGER, 31-years-old old of Woodstock, was charged with…

• Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – in Canada
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – in Canada
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin)

Kelsey Marie CHAPMAN, 21-years-old of Central Huron, was charged with…

• Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Occupant of Motor Vehicle Taken Without Consent
• Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin)

…contrary to the Criminal Code or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. All three were held for bail.

Any person with information regarding this incident should contact the 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.

(BLUEWATER, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a resident of Perth County with 22 criminal charges following a series of alarming events that took place earlier this week.

It all started off in Listowel on the morning of January 24^th when a sedan was stolen from a Victoria Avenue North property while it sat unoccupied warming up in the driveway. Later in the day, just after 5:00 p.m., a Huron County OPP officer spotted the stolen vehicle travelling on Airport Line. The officer attempted to stop the stolen vehicle however the driver failed to stop and immediately took off. Shortly after police located the stolen vehicle abandoned in a ditch on Tipperary Line. 

After ditching the stolen sedan the accused fled to a nearby business and stole a pickup truck. Soon thereafter, the accused drove dangerously through an intersection and collided with a pickup truck injuring the driver. The accused then failed to remain at the scene of this crash and then fled to a nearby residence where he committed a break and enter. Once inside the home he stole a set of keys to a vehicle as well as the victim’s purse. 

The accused then located the victim outside where he threatened the victim and stole a sport utility vehicle that was in the laneway. The accused then fled the scene in what was his third stolen vehicle of the day. Once again the accused didn’t get too far as he crashed into a stone fence and the vehicle became disabled.

At this point the accused took off on foot and fled into a bush lot. Police contained the scene and OPP Canine along with OPP West Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) members conducted a search of the area. Ultimately, the accused was located and arrested hiding out in a travel trailer located on Parr Line. 

Benjamin POYNTON, 27 years of age from North Perth has been charged with the following offences:

• Fight From Police Officer
• Dangerous Operation – Two Counts
• Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm
• Operation While Prohibited – Six Counts
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Theft Over $5,000 of a Motor Vehicle – Two Counts
• Robbery With Violence
• Break, Enter a Dwelling House – Commit Indictable Offence
• Break, Enter a Place – Commit Indictable Offence
• Failure to Stop After an Accident
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Knowing There Was a Prohibited Weapon
• Failure to Comply with a Release Order – Two Counts
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused remains in custody with a court date scheduled for January 27, 2022 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

Huron County OPP would like to remind property owners to always take necessary steps to prevent vehicle theft by simply securing your vehicle at all times. Wherever possible park in a well-lit area and never leave an ignition key in the vehicle. It is nice and inviting to get into a warm vehicle in the cold but it sure makes it easy for a thief if it’s left insecure and unattended.

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – An ongoing investigation into a theft from a local business has resulted in charges against three people.

The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report on January 21, 2022, shortly after 12:00 p.m., of thefts that had occurred at a business on Wallace Avenue North, Listowel. The suspects stolen items from the business and left in a vehicle.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, three people have been arrested and charged.

Bryan DEVEREAUX, 45, of Kitchener, has been charged with:

–       Theft Under $5000 – Shoplifting (two counts)

–       Failure to Comply with Undertaking

Alyssa MIROTTA, 28, of Waterloo, has been charged with:

–       Failure to Comply with Undertaking

Both accused parties were held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Angelo KARAGEORGOS, 50, of Kitchener, has been charge with:

–       Theft Under $5000 – Shoplifting

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.

(WEST PERTH, ON) – A Huron East resident has been charged with stunt driving in Perth County.

On January 24, 2022, just after 12:00 a.m., a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer stopped a vehicle travelling on Perth Line 34, in the Municipality of West Perth, after it was found to be travelling in excess of 140km/h in an 80km/h limit zone.

William DUNCAN, 30, of Huron East, has been charged with:

–       Race motor vehicle – Excessive Speed

The driver received a 30-day driving suspension, and a 14-day vehicle impoundment was initiated as per statute. The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford at a later date to answer to the charge. 

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) – One person was charged after threatening a victim with bodily harm or death.

The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) entered into an investigation on January 22, 2022, after the victim had received a number of communications in which the suspect threatened harm. As a result of the investigation, one person was arrested and charged.

Burim GAJTANI, 38, of Grand Valley, has been charged with:

–       Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm (two counts)

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.

(BLUEWATER, ON) – A traffic stop yesterday in Hensall has led to several charges for a Bluewater resident. 

On Sunday, January 23, 2022 at approximately 7:32 p.m. a Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer observed a sedan travelling on London Road in Hensall with only one working headlight. 

Upon stopping the vehicle the investigating officer learned the driver was failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking, as well, it was determined the novice driver had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) above zero. 

David TREBINSKI, 23 years of age from Hensall has been charged with two counts of Fail to Comply with Undertaking, Drive without Proper Headlights and Novice Driver – BAC Above Zero. 

The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for February 14, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich. 

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – An investigation by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has led to criminal charges, including possession of Fentanyl against a resident of Mitchell. 

On January 23, 2022 at approximately 1:45 a.m. Huron County OPP officers responded to a report of a break-in in progress at a residence located on Orchard Line. Officers arrived on scene and found the suspect attempting to gain entry into the residence. Officers were able to arrest the suspect on scene. Upon arrest officers searched the suspect and they located a significant quantity of suspected Fentanyl. 

Additionally, officers learned the suspect was currently serving a probation sentence and was failing to comply with a condition of his release. 

Dustin MURPHY, 27 years of age from Mitchell has been charged with: Break, Enter a Place – Commit Indictable Offence, Mischief Under $5,000, Fail to Comply with Probation Order and Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid. 

The accused remains in custody with a court appearance scheduled for January 24, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.