Category: Police Press Releases

(MEAFORD, ON) – On February 18, 2021, members of the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were assisted by members of the Grey-Bruce and Huron-Perth OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), with the execution of a search warrant at a residence on Victoria Street, in the Municipality of Meaford,

OPP seized Percocet, dried Cannabis and Cannabis edibles, along Canadian currency and drug paraphernalia at the residence.

As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged Derwin MERCER, 52 years-of-age, from Meaford, with the following offences: 

•  Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purposing in trafficking – opioid, section 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
• Possession for the purpose of distributing, section 9(2) Cannabis Act (CA)
• Possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, section 10(2) CA

The accused must attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on March 25, 2021.

(TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE WELLINGTON, ON) – On February 17, 2021, at approximately 6:45 a.m., Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Centre Wellington Fire & Rescue, and Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services responded to a motor vehicle collision on Wellington Road 17 east of Alma.

Initial reports indicated that a pick-up truck on Wellington Road 17 collided with two other vehicles.

Two drivers were transported by ambulance to hospital with serious non-life threatening injuries. The third driver was not injured.

Wellington Road 17 was reopened shortly after 10:00 a.m.

Thomas JENKINS, 21-years-old of Mulmur Township has been charged with Careless Driving Causing Bodily Harm, Operate Motor Vehicle No Insurance, and Improper Tires.

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

(HOWICK, ON) – A resident of Howick will have to answer to an Impaired Operation charge following his arrest on Valentine’s Day by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

On February 14, 2021 at approximately 5:00 p.m. Huron County OPP officers received a complaint in Gorrie about a person that was plowing snow with an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that may be intoxicated. Officers arrived at a Victoria Street residence a short time later and were able to locate the ATV operator. 

Upon speaking with the suspect the investigating officer noted the operator was displaying several signs of impairment. As such the driver was placed under arrest and transported to the Huron OPP Detachment for breath tests; both tests were found to be above the legal limit by the Intoxilizer Technician.

Christopher KELLY, 39 years of age from Howick has been charged with Impaired Operation and Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 80 Plus. The accused has since been released from custody with a court date scheduled for April 12, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(MEAFORD, ON) – On February 17, 2021 at 6:19 a.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to two tractor trailers that had slid off the roadway on Grey Road 112, north of Highway 26, in the Municipality of Meaford.

A tractor trailer had lost control and slid into the ditch and then a short time later, another tractor trailer slid off the roadway, trying to avoid colliding the other transport in the ditch.

There were no injuries, but traffic will be rerouted throughout the day as the trucks are towed from the ditch.

(GODERICH & CENTRAL HURON, ON) – A London resident is facing a number of charges, including Impaired Operation following a crash that took place in Goderich last week. 

On February 8, 2021 at approximately 1:13 p.m. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers started receiving multiple calls about a Jeep Wrangler that was being operated in an erratic manner in the Town of Goderich. 

One witness reported the suspect vehicle had rear-ended her vehicle at the intersection of Blake Street West and Eldon Street in Goderich. Another witness reported the driver collided with a pole located in a parking lot on Bayfield Road. 

Officers immediately began patrolling for the suspect vehicle and a short time later the suspect vehicle was stopped by police on Huron Road in Holmesville. Upon speaking with the driver the investigating officer noted the driver was displaying several signs of impairment through alcohol. As a result the driver was placed under arrest for Impaired Operation and was transported to the Huron OPP Detachment for breath tests.

The driver provided two samples of breath to the qualified Intoxilizer Technician and both tests registered above the legal limit. 

Trevor HOPKINS, 49 years of age from London has been charged with Impaired Operation, Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration 80 Plus, Dangerous Operation, Failure to Stop after Accident and Failure to Comply with Release Order. The accused has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for March 15, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(CITY OF GUELPH, ON) – On February 10, 2021, at approximately 11:20 a.m., a Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was monitoring traffic and conducting radar on Woolwich Street near Woodlawn Road in the City of Guelph. The officer observed a southbound passenger vehicle travelling at a speed that appeared to be well above the posted 50 km/h speed limit. The motor vehicle was locked on radar at a speed in excess of 105 km/h.

Christopher Jared TERPSTRA, 24-years-old of Mount Forest, has been charged with Drive Motor Vehicle Perform Stunt – Exceed Speed Limit by 50 Kms or More and Speeding contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The defendant is scheduled to appear in Guelph at the Ontario Court of Justice – Provincial Offences Court on May 19, 2021. Their vehicle and driver’s licence were seized for a period of seven days as per statute.

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – A traffic stop conducted last week by members of the Huron-Perth Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU) has led to arrests, charges and a dent in the local supply of illicit fentanyl.

On February 8, 2021 at approximately 11:31 a.m. Huron OPP stopped a car on Grand Bend Line to complete some investigative checks. While speaking with the occupants in the vehicle officers observed one of the passengers to be wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Further, as the driver was exiting the vehicle some drug paraphernalia was observed inside. Upon closer examination drug residue was located and the four occupants of the vehicle were all placed under arrest and searched. 

The subsequent search resulted in police locating fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine.

The estimated street value of the seized substances is nearly $4,000.

Candace ASKES, 26 years of age from Mississauga has been charged with Possession of Schedule I Substances – Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine. 

Sheri CAMPBELL, 51 years of age from South Huron has been charged with Possession of Schedule I Substances – Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine & Fail to Comply with Probation Order.

Ryan BONE, 47 years of age from Mississauga has been charged with Possession of Schedule I Substances – Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine, Possession of Fentanyl for the Purposes of Trafficking and two counts of Fail to Comply with Probation Order. 

These accused were all released from custody with court appearances scheduled for March 29, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

Catherine CORR, 31 years of age from North Huron has been charged with Possession of Schedule I Substances – Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine. The accused remains in custody with a court appearance scheduled for February 18, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

If you have any information about this investigation please 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) or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com , where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(CHATSWORTH, ON) – On February 15, 2021 Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged Kyle ROCHON, 32 years-of-age, from Woolwich Township with theft and four counts of possession of stolen property.          

As a result of further investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have also charged ROCHON with the following offences:

• Three counts of operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited under the Criminal Code, section 320.18(1)(a) Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, section 320.13(1) CCC
• Flight from peace officer, section 320.17 CCC
• Failure to stop after accident, section 320.16(1) CCC
• Three counts of driving while under suspension, section 53(1) Highway Traffic Act

The accused was held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on February 16, 2021.

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – A suspicious house fire investigation conducted by members of the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit with the assistance of the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has culminated in charges.

On January 7, 2021 at approximately 12:16 p.m. Huron County OPP officers along with firefighters from Bayfield, Brucefield, Goderich and Central Huron Fire Departments responded to a house fire located on Whys Line. Upon arrival the home was found to be fully engulfed. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the dwelling structure however the fire completely destroyed the home.

One occupant escaped the fire uninjured.

The dollar losses sustained are estimated to be approximately $800,000.

The subsequent investigation resulted in police arresting and charging a suspect on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Sarah KEYS, 34 years of age from London has been charged with:

• Arson – Disregard for Human Life
• Arson – Fraudulent Purposes

The accused has been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for March 29, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

If you have any information about this investigation please 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) or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com , where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(TOWNSHIP OF PUSLINCH, ON) – On Friday February 12, 2021 at approximately 4:30 p.m. members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of break-in at residence located on Siefert Court in Puslinch Township.

Upon arrival, officers found the rear door of the residence had been forced open and a number of items were stolen including a safe, passports, foreign currency, four Louis Vuitton handbags, and a quantity of jewelry.

The suspects, who fled the scene in an unknown vehicle prior to police arrival, are described as:

Suspect 1:  Male white, thin build, short, 20’s wearing a blue parka with grey fur on the hood, dark blue toque with red trim, baby blue N95 mask, dark blue jeans, black gloves and black shoes

Suspect 2: Male, thin build, short, wearing a blue parka with grey fur, black hoodie underneath, blue pants with grey gloves and heavy black boots.

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.

(CHATSWORTH, ON) – On February 15, 2021 at 2:51 p.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a suspicious person occurrence near Woodland Circle, in the Township of Chatsworth.

Offices located a suspect, who was in possession of several stolen items.

As a result of this investigation Grey Bruce OPP have charged Kyle ROCHON, 32 years-of-age, from Woolwich Township, Ontario, with the following offences:

• Possession of property obtained by crime – over $5,000., section 354(1)(a) Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime – under $5,000., section 354(1)(a) CCC
• Theft under $5,000.from a motor vehicle, section 334(b) CCC

The accused was held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on February 16, 2021.

(TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON NORTH, ON) – On February 13, 2021, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed an ATV being operated in an aggressive manner without any lights on in the area of Egremont Street in Mount Forest.

The officer attempted to pull over the ATV, however, the suspect refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. The officer discontinued the pursuit for public safety reasons. 

The ATV operator was later observed going through stop signs and driving erratically on several streets within the town.

At approximately 11:30 p.m., a second OPP officer who was on foot patrol, spotted the suspect ATV operator in the area of Normanby Street in Mount Forest. It was reported that the suspect drove directly at the officer. The officer was dragged approximately 100 metres after attempting to arrest the operator.

The officer was not injured.

Police later located and arrested the suspect.

A 16-year-old youth has been charged with:

• Flight from Peace Officer
• Assault a Peace Officer
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Stunt Driving
• Operate Motor Vehicle without Insurance
• Drive Motor Vehicle-no licence

 The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Youth Court of Justice-Guelph at a later date.