Category: Police Press Releases

(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.

(WEST PERTH, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Municipality of West Perth driver after they were speeding more than 50km/h over the limit in West Perth last weekend.

On April 10 2021, just after 12:00 a.m., police stopped a vehicle on Perth Road 164, south of Mitchell, after it was found to be travelling in excess of 130km/h in an 80km/h limit zone.

As a result, Ernst SCHWARZLMUELLER, 53, of West Perth, has been charged with:

• Race motor vehicle – Excessive Speed

A seven 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. 

(PERTH EAST, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a driver after an intersection related collision in the Township of Perth East.

On Friday, April 09 2021, just before 3:30 p.m., a two vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Perth Road 135 and Line 44, north of Wartburg. The investigation revealed that a pick-up truck travelling on Line 44 had stopped at the stop sign, and continued through the intersection, striking a car that was travelling southbound on Perth Road 135. There were no injuries as a result of the collision.

The driver of the pick-up truck, Thomas RYAN, 59, of Perth East, has been charged with:

• Traffic on Through Highway – Fail to Yield

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wants the public to be aware of actions being taken to help limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including restrictions on interprovincial travel.

The Government of Ontario has announced further restrictions on outdoor activities and gatherings. As of Saturday, April 17 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, outdoor gatherings are restricted to members of the same household only (plus one other person if that individual lives alone); in-person shopping is restricted to 25 per cent of building capacity; outdoor recreational facilities and non-essential construction sites will be closed. Effective Monday, April 19 at 12:01 a.m. ET, capacity at religious gatherings, weddings and funerals will be limited to 10 people.

The OPP will have members located at interprovincial points of entry by road to screen all vehicles beginning Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET/CT-Manitoba time. Those not travelling for essential reasons will be refused entry. There are exceptions for work, medical care, transportation of goods and the exercising of Treaty rights for Indigenous persons.

Under the updated orders, police have the authority to ask individuals and motorists who are not at home their purpose for leaving home and to provide their home address.

The OPP urges everyone to comply with all restrictions. Although voluntary compliance is always preferred, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA), Re-Opening Ontario Act (ROA) and federal Quarantine Act, there are consequences for individuals who choose to defy the emergency orders that are in force. The OPP will be informing the public of charges laid each day on its social media accounts. The public is reminded that individuals who fail to comply with the restrictions can be issued a minimum fine of $750. Those who obstruct an authority or individual from enforcing or complying with an order can receive a minimum fine of $1,000, and those who host parties or gatherings in violation of the regulations can face a maximum fine of $10,000 on conviction.

 For all non-emergency police matters – including allegations of non-compliance – contact your municipal by-law office, call the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122, or contact your local detachment.

 The OPP continues to provide public safety services to the communities we serve and support the efforts of federal, provincial and local health authorities during this pandemic. We appreciate the public’s ongoing support of these measures.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Township of Perth East driver after they were speeding more than 80km/h over the limit in Perth East last week.

On April 06 2020, just before 08:00 a.m., police stopped a vehicle on the Perth Line 29, in the Township of Perth East, after it was found to be travelling in excess of 150km/h in a 70km/h limit zone.

As a result, Damon WEEKES, 19, of Perth East, has been charged with:

• Race motor vehicle – Excessive Speed

A seven 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. 

(TOWNSHIP OF MAPLETON, ON) – On April 11, 2021 at approximately 10:30 p.m., a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Highway 6 north of Alma.  

While speaking with the driver, the officer observed drug paraphernalia within the vehicle.   Police also recovered a quantity of a substance suspected to be crystal methamphetamine from within the vehicle.

Steven Thomas SHIELDS, 39-years-old of Wellington North Township has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-methamphetamine and Drive Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available.

The Accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph on May 14, 2021, to answer to the charges.

(TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON NORTH, ON) – On April 11, 2021 at approximately 11:00 p.m., a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was responding to assist another officer. While in route, the officer attempted to pass a vehicle that was eastbound on Wellington Road 109 west of Arthur.

As the officer began to pass, it was reported that the other driver accelerated rapidly preventing the officer from passing. The vehicle’s speed was measured in excess of 150 km/h in the posted 80 km/h speed zone.

The officer was operating a fully marked OPP cruiser at the time.

Conrad Gary MARTIN, 18-year-old of Wellington North Township 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 July 7, 2021. The vehicle and driver’s licence were seized for a period of seven days as per statute.

(GODERICH, ON) – A Goderich resident is facing four criminal charges following an investigation that took place last week in the Town of Goderich.

On April 11, 2021 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a facility located on Parsons Court in Goderich to investigate a sighting of a suspicious person observed inside the secure area of the facility.

Within a few minutes an officer was on scene and located the suspect nearby. The subsequent investigation revealed the suspect had entered into the secure facility and caused mischief to the premise. 

Upon arrest the accused obstructed the arresting officer when he identified himself with a false name. Investigators were able to positively identify the accused and he now stands charged with the following offences:

Brent LAWRENCE, 28 years of age from Goderich has been charged with the following offences:

• Break, Enter a Place – commit indictable offence
• Mischief Over $5,000
• Obstruct Peace Officer
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused was released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for June 7, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

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

On April 07 2021, just before 2:30 p.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 by a drug. The driver was placed under arrest for impaired operation and was transported to a local OPP 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, James Scott VANSTONE, 57, of Stratford, 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. 

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.

(TOWN OF MINTO, ON) – On April 10, 2021 at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a trailer theft that occurred at an address on King Street in Palmerston.

It’s believed that the theft occurred sometime between April 9, 2021 at approximately 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on April 10, 2021. Unknown suspects stole a 2021 14 foot Action black dump trailer bearing Ontario plate V2957J.  

Approximate value of the theft is $13,000.

Any person with information regarding this incident is asked to 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

(GODERICH & HURON EAST, ON) – A Goderich resident remains in custody on numerous charges following a recent theft of an automobile investigation conducted by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

On Friday, April 9, 2021 at approximately 7:35 a.m. Huron County OPP was contacted by an employee of a car dealership in Goderich that reported a mischief and theft occurrence. 

Investigators learned a suspect had smashed out a showroom window and found the keys to a car on the lot and proceeded to drive away. Immediately officers began patrolling for the stolen vehicle and three hours later the suspect was located with the stolen vehicle in Seaforth. Officers were able to arrest the suspect and he was taken into custody. A search incident to arrest found the accused to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine, hydromorphone and a pellet gun.

Kurtis GREEN, 29 years of age from Goderich has been charged with the following offences:

• Break, Enter a place – commit indictable offence
• Mischief Under $5,000
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Hydromorphone
• Fail to comply with Probation Order- Two Counts

The accused remains in custody with a future court date at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.