Category: Police Press Releases

(BLUEWATER, ON) – A Stratford resident is facing Impaired Operation charges after a failed roadside test this past weekend in Kippen.

Just after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021 the driver of a sedan entered into the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoint that was set up at the intersection of London Road (Highway 4) and Kippen Road. A Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer spoke with the driver and upon doing so made some observations that the driver had consumed some alcohol. 

A roadside screening test was conducted and the driver registered a Fail. The driver was placed under arrest and was subsequently transported to the Sebringville OPP Detachment for breath tests. Two samples of breath were provided to the qualified Intoxilizer Technician and both samples were found to be above the legal limit.

Timothy ZAVITSKI, 29 years of age from Stratford has been charged with Operation While Impaired and Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 80 plus. The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for May 17, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(WEST PERTH, ON) – Another driver has been charged with impaired driving after a traffic stop in the Municipality of West Perth last week.

On April 11 2021, just after 12:00 a.m., a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer on general patrol observed a vehicle that was driving in a suspicious manner, and conducted a traffic stop to investigate. While speaking with the officer, the driver was displaying signs of impairment. The driver performed poorly on a Standard Field Sobriety Test and was subsequently placed under arrest for impaired operation. They were transported to the closest police detachment for further examination. A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) conducted a series of tests and the driver was deemed to be impaired by a drug.

As a result, Nicholas SKYRING-LEPAGE, 23, of West Perth, has been charged with:

• Operation while Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs

A 90-day driving suspension and seven-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 charges.

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) –  A resident of Central Huron is facing an Over 80 charge following a traffic stop that took last week near Londesborough. 

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 6:41 p.m. an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was patrolling on London Road when the officer encountered a pickup truck that was swerving within its lane. A traffic stop was initiated and upon speaking with the driver the investigating officer completed a roadside screening test. The driver complied and registered a fail.

The driver was placed under arrest and was transported to the Huron OPP Detachment in Clinton for breath tests. Two samples of his breath were provided to the qualified Intoxilizer Technician and both samples were found to be above the legal limit.

Ferdinand BRALL, 70 years of age, from Central Huron has been charged with Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration 80 Plus. The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for May 10, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich. 

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged the operator of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with impaired driving after a collision in the Municipality of North Perth yesterday.

On April 18 2021, just before 6:00 p.m., the Perth County OPP and Perth County Paramedic Services responded to a single vehicle collision on private property on Road 154, near Perth Line 72 after an ATV rolled on top of the driver. The driver was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

During the investigation, it was determined that the driver was impaired by alcohol. They were arrested and provided samples of their breath. 

As a result, Edmund RYAN, 61, of North Perth, has been charged with:

• Operation while Impaired – alcohol and drugs
• Operation while Impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 Plus)

A 90-day driving suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment was initiated as per statute. 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.

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 BRUCE PENINSULA, ON) On April 13, 2021 at 9:54 p.m. Grey Bruce OPP conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle on Sideroad 15 near Spring Creek Road in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged Dylan BUCHANAN, 29 years-of-age, from South Bruce Peninsula, ON with operation while prohibited, section 320.18(1)(a) Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)

The accused must attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on June 10, 2021.

(TOWN OF ERIN, ON) – On April 18, 2021 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting patrols on Wellington Road 22 in the Town of Erin.

It was reported that the officer had to take evasive action after an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line. Police turned around and stopped the vehicle.

While speaking with the driver, officers formed the opinion formed the opinion that they were under the influence of alcohol. A Roadside Screening test was conducted which resulted in a fail. The driver was arrested and brought to a local OPP Operations Centre for further testing.

As a result, Jennifer Denise HORBATUIK, 35-years-old of Erin, has been charged with Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mgs of alcohol in 100mL of blood) contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

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 May 4, 2021 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.

(SOUTHGATE, ON) – On April 17, 2021 at 2:35 a.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Southgate Road 24, in the Township of Southgate.  

OPP officers arrested the vehicle driver for impaired driving after they failed a roadside screening test. A breath test recorded readings over the legal limit of 80 milligrams (mgs) of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. 

As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged Charlotte MORINO, 31 years-of-age, from Southgate with the following offences:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, section 320.14(1)(a) Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• Operation while impaired with blood alcohol concentration 80 mgs or more, section 320.14(1)(b) CCC

 The accused’s driver’s licence is suspended for 90 days and the vehicle they were operating was towed and will be impounded for seven days.

The accused must attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on May 20, 2021.

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) remain on scene of a structure fire in the Municipality of North Perth.

On April 19 2021, just after 8:30 p.m., the Perth County OPP, the North Perth Fire Department (Listowel, Atwood and Monkton stations), and the Minto Fire Department (Palmerston station) responded to a fire at a modular home community east of Listowel. One home was fully engulfed and at least two others were damaged. One person has been taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

When fire crews arrived on scene, two firefighters were assaulted by a person at the fire location.

As a result, a 50-year-old resident of North Perth has been arrested and charged with:

• Assault

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the public is asked to avoid the area.

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been consulted and is assisting with the investigation.

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.

(GREY HIGHLANDS, ON) – On April 13^th, 2021 at 8:46 a.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to an explosion/fire that had occurred at a rural property on Grey Road 12, near Sideroad 10A, in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

A tractor trailer, carrying propane cylinders, was attempting to unload several tanks, when a leak occurred in one of the cylinders, causing an explosion and a subsequent fire. Three individuals that were assisting with unloading the truck sustained burns during this explosion. All three of these involved parties were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Grey Bruce OPP were assisted at the scene by the Grey Highlands Fire Department and Grey County Paramedic Services. The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal was contacted to assist with this incident, along with consultation from the Ministry of Labour, Transport Canada and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority.

The investigation is continuing.

(GODERICH & ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid numerous charges against a pair that led officers on a chase last week.

At approximately 12:36 a.m. on April 16, 2021 Huron County OPP officers were patrolling on Victoria Street North in Goderich when they spotted a stolen pickup truck. Officers strategically followed the suspect vehicle northbound out of Goderich whereupon the suspect driver failed to stop for an officer.

The suspect vehicle drove over a spike belt on Blyth Road and the driver continued on rims failing to stop. Eventually the driver turned off onto Pinery Line and the roadway turned into a dead-end road. To no avail, the driver continued on and drove the vehicle down a walking trail until the vehicle finally came to a stop. As soon as the vehicle stopped the driver and passenger fled into the woods. Officers gave chase and shortly thereafter police were able to catch up and arrest both suspects.

Upon arrest officers located a quantity of suspected methamphetamine in the stolen vehicle. Additionally, police found the driver to be in possession of stolen Identification and a stolen vehicle ownership.   

The driver, Joshua BREAU, 32 years of age from Stratford has been charged with the following criminal offences:

• Dangerous Operation
• Flight from Peace Officer
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
• Fail to Comply with Release Order – Three counts
• Fail to Comply with Undertaking – Two counts
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine
• Resist Peace Officer

The accused remains in custody with a court appearance scheduled for April 20, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

The passenger, Karley FRAYER, 31 years of age from Huron East has been charged with the following criminal offences:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order – Two Counts

The accused has since been release with a court appearance scheduled for June 7, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(GREY HIGHLANDS, ON) – On April 14, 2021 at 1:26 a.m. members of the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Grey Road 14, in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.  

A motorist had driven off of the roadway and was stuck in a ditch.  

OPP officers spoke with the driver, who displayed obvious signs of impairment. The driver was uncooperative with officers and refused to provide a breath sample into the approved screening device.

As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged Samantha KURANYI, 19 years-of-age, from Brockton with the following offences:

• Failure or refusal to comply with demand, section 320.15(1) Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• Obstruct a peace officer, section 129(a) CCC

The accused’s driver’s licence is suspended for 90 days and the vehicle they were operating was towed and will be impounded for seven days.

The accused must attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on May 27, 2021.

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is requesting that Ontarians voluntarily comply with the new emergency orders as it does its part to support the Government of Ontario’s health emergency declaration to limit transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

OPP officers will enforce the Stay-at-Home Order, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA), and the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) by focusing on non-compliance in businesses and restaurants, complaints from the public and unlawful public gatherings. Officers can disperse and ticket individuals found to be non-compliant resulting in a $750 fine.

The new emergency orders include:

·       Outdoor events/gatherings are now prohibited unless all parties are from the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or is a caregiver for any member of the household

·       All retail stores that are permitted to be open must:

o  Limit the number of persons to 25 per cent capacity of the store

·       The following outdoor recreational amenities shall be closed:

o  All outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields including:

·       Baseball diamonds,

·       Soccer fields,

·       Frisbee golf locations,

·       Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis, pickleball courts,

·       Basketball courts,

·       BMX parks, and

·       Skate parks

o  All portions of park and recreation areas containing outdoor fitness equipment

o  All picnic sites and picnic tables in park and recreation areas

·        An Outdoor recreational amenity that is an off-leash dog area or park bench may be open and used if physical distancing is maintained

·        A playground, a place specifically designed to enable children to play there, may be open and used

Consistent with the new emergency orders, OPP officers will not arbitrarily stop an individual or a vehicle, or enter a dwelling for the singular purpose of checking compliance with the order. Individuals are not expected to provide proof of essential work. Officers who believe an individual may be participating in a gathering that is prohibited may require the individual to provide information to determine whether or not they are in compliance.

More information about the restrictions covered by the Government of Ontario’s declared ‘State of Emergency’ and the updated enforcement provisions of the EMCPA can be found at Reopening Ontario Act (A Flexible Response to COVID-19; ROA), 2020.d

(GREY-BRUCE, ON) – On April 16, 2021, members of the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to several criminal incidents throughout the day.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., the suspect was arrested on Highway 10 near Berkeley. Three OPP cruisers were damaged while stopping the suspect.

Nelson TOSTE, 40-years-old of Brampton has been charged with;

•  Robbery (3 counts)
•  Assault Causing Bodily Harm (3 counts)
•  Dangerous Driving (4 counts)
•  Assault (3 counts)
•  Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
•  Utter Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm
•  Theft of Motor Vehicle (2 counts)
•  Theft Over $5000-Motor Vehicle
•  Theft Under $5000
•  Fail to Comply with Probation Order (3 counts)
•  Fail to Comply with Undertaking
•  Drive While Suspended

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound.

The investigation is ongoing.