Category: Police Press Releases

(TOWNSHIP OF GUELPH-ERAMOSA, ON) – On January 7, 2021, at approximately 11:00 p.m. the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles on Wellington Road 124 at Wellington Road 32 in the Township of Guelph-Eramosa.

While speaking with the one of the drivers, police determined that their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to a local OPP Operation Centre for further testing.

Paul Anthony MAZZA, 44-years-old of Guelph has been charged with;

• Operation While Impaired – 80 Plus contrary to the Criminal Code.
• Operation While Impaired-alcohol or drugs contrary to the Criminal Code.
• Failing to Comply with Probation Order contrary to the Criminal Code.
• Drive Motor Vehicle-No Licence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.
• Driving Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor-contrary to the Liquor Licence Act

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 January 29, 2021 to answer to the charges.

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.

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – A Blyth resident is hopeful his experience with a recent scam will help prevent others from becoming a victim.

The victim, a man in his 70’s reported he was nearly taken for $18,000 after he got snagged up in a tech support scam. The victim reported his laptop was targeted with a virus that froze up his screen in the form of a pop up window. He responded to the number provided and called to get his computer up and running again. While speaking with the supposed tech support agents he was informed they had completed a diagnostic check on his computer and several viruses and issues were found on his computer. 

The scammer then proceeded to gain remote access to the victim’s computer and installed a product that was supposed to act as an anti-virus software program. The victim reported the product appeared to work as expected however a few weeks passed and he was contacted by the agent and was advised they could no longer provide this service. The agent proceeded to tell the victim they would refund him the $400 USD he paid for the service to his bank account. A few days passed and then he was contacted once again by the scammers and this time they told him that they had refunded him too much in error and they asked for him to send the extra $18,000 back to their overseas bank account. 

The victim reported the scammers accessed his online account and showed him the $18,000 in his bank account so he thought it was safe to proceed. He went to his local branch with the intention of sending an international money transfer however he was alerted to the scam by his bank. 

The victim learned the scammers shifted the funds from a seldom used account into his chequing account without his knowledge. The victim reported the scammers were very persistent and had called him a dozen times in a matter of an hour on the day when he was supposed to send the money transfer. 

The victim in this matter is very thankful his bank alerted him to this scam otherwise he would have been out a very significant amount of money.

Here are some tips on how to spot and avoid tech support scams 

Most often tech support scams come in the form of a “pop-up” window and they may try to look like a trusted antivirus software company. They will want you to call a toll-free number, they will create a sense of urgency and they will threaten you that you may lose personal data if you don’t call. They will then ask for a fee for products that they want to sell you to help clean up your computer. These products range from worthless to malicious.

This is what you should do.

• If you get a phone call you didn’t expect from someone who says there’s a problem with your computer, hang up. 

• If you get a pop-up warning on your computer alerting you to a security issue, even though it may look legitimate, never call the provided number to get help. Real security warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number.

• Do not click on any links or call a phone number.

• Don’t send any money or make a wire transfer.

• Don’t pay with a gift card.

• Don’t give anyone your bank account, credit card or other payment information.

• Don’t give anyone control of your computer.

• Keep your security software up to date.

• If you need help, contact a computer technician that you trust

• Report the matter to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

• Tell someone about this scam, as you might help prevent someone else getting scammed.

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to investigate a break, enter and theft that took place in Exeter earlier this week.

Sometime between January 5^th at 5:00 p.m. and January 7^th at 8:00 a.m. suspects forced entry into the business located on Main Street South in Exeter. Once inside the consignment store the suspects stole multiple pairs of high end jeans, shoes, purses, costume jewellery, a Samsung tablet and a small amount of cash. 

The initial estimate of the value of the stolen goods is approximately $3,500.

Any person with information regarding this crime should immediately 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 online at www.p3tips.com, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – Two people have been arrested after they were found in a stolen vehicle Township of Perth East earlier this week.

On January 06 2020, just after 2:00 p.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a traffic complaint on Perth Road 121, south of Millbank. The vehicle eventually stopped on the roadway when it ran out of gas, and officers located two occupants inside.

The investigation revealed that the white cargo van and the licence plates were stolen. The driver and passenger were both arrested at the scene.

As a result, Adam Michael WALSH, 36, of Kitchener, has been charged with:

• Fail to Comply with Probation Officer
• Failure to Comply with Release Order
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (two counts)
• Possession of Over 30 grams of Cannabis in a Public Place

Also, Jessica PHANENHOUR, 27, of Waterloo, has been charged with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (two counts)
• Drive Motor Vehicle – No Licence

The accused parties were 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.

(PERTH EAST, ON) – Another vehicle has been stolen in the Township of Perth East, this time following a break and enter in Sebringville.

On January 06 2021, just before 9:00 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a break and enter and stolen vehicle from a residence on Jean Street, in Sebringville. The suspect entered the unlocked garage man door, and drove the vehicle out of the garage.

Another citizen notified police of a suspicious female walking with a backpack, checking cars in the area shortly after 4:00 a.m. The suspect may have been associated to a white car also seen in the area at the time.

The vehicle was later recovered in the Windsor area, but the suspect has not been identified.

The Perth County OPP would like to remind the public to keep vehicles and buildings locked at all times, and never leave keys in, or near, a vehicle. Unlocked vehicles become easy targets, and can be used to commit other crimes, including break and enters, or driving offences, such as impaired driving (by drugs or alcohol). Stolen vehicles also pose a risk to the public when drivers flee from police, driving in a dangerous manner in order to evade arrest.

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.

(WATFORD, ON) – On January 7, 2020, members of the Lambton County Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), West Region (WR) Tactical Response Unit (TRU), Canine Unit (K9), Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Intelligence Unit executed a warrant on Victoria Street, Town of Watford.  

As a result of the execution of the search, police arrested and charged two people. Police seized illegal drugs consisting of suspected cocaine, MDMA, LSD, Psilocybin, Oxycodone and Canadian currency.  

The total value of the seizure is over $10,000.  

Matthew ANGUS, 22 year-old of Watford, and Taylor ABRAMS, 18 year-old of Strathroy, were arrested and charged with the following

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance For the Purpose of Trafficking (Two Counts)
• Possession of a Schedule III Substance For the Purpose of Trafficking (Two Counts)
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance
• Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, pursuant to the Cannabis Act

Both accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice-Sarnia on a later date.   

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police has received numerous complaints where members of the public from across the province received unsolicited emails which, when opened, contained links to images of child sexual abuse.

The emails, which were received from the email account [email protected] contained directions, that when followed unknowingly exposed the recipient to child sexual abuse imagery.

Recipients of emails from [email protected] are asked to contact their local police and to abstain from opening the emails.

The Ontario Provincial Police would like to remind the public to exercise caution when opening emails received from unfamiliar or unusual accounts. If unsure, a company’s legitimate contact information can typically be confirmed by visiting their website.

Anyone wanting to make a difference is encouraged to go to www.protectchildren.ca to download the “Child Sexual Abuse-It Is Your Business” brochure from the Canadian Center for Child Protection. This is an important first step that can save a child.

Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding internet safety. Parents and anyone interested in protecting children can find resources to assist them at www.cybertip.ca.

Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding this investigation or if you have information regarding internet child exploitation, please contact the OPP at. If wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at (TIPS) or 1-800-222-8477www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Reporting information may also be made on the internet through www.cybertip.ca. 1-888-310-1122

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – A Kitchener resident is facing a charge in Huron County following a disturbance that took place in Clinton at the end of December.

At approximately 11:48 p.m. on December 23, 2020 Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to an incident that took place on Rattenbury Street East in Clinton. Upon arrival police learned an intoxicated guest was asked to leave the residence and he refused to do so. Upon getting the guest out of the home the accused attempted to get back inside the home. Although the accused did not get back in the home he proceeded to smash a window out of a vehicle that was parked in the laneway.

Police located the accused still on the property and he was taken into custody. 

Cory SCHRAMEK, 35 years of age from Kitchener has been charged with Mischief Under $5,000. He has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for March 1, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.  

(PERTH EAST, ON) – Unattended vehicles that are left unlocked while warming up make easy targets for thieves, which is what happened yesterday in Millbank.

On January 6 2021, just after 6:00 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a vehicle that had been stolen from a residence on Norfolk St., in Millbank. The suspect had taken advantage of the situation, where a pick-up truck had been left unlocked while it was warming up.

The owner saw the vehicle leaving the driveway, and contacted police immediately. It was located abandoned nearby, and the suspect was believed to have been picked up by a white or silver passenger vehicle.

The Perth County OPP would like to remind the public to keep vehicles locked at all times, and never leave keys in, or near, a vehicle. Unlocked vehicles become easy targets, and can be used to commit other crimes, including break and enters, or driving offences, such as impaired driving (by drugs or alcohol). Stolen vehicles also pose a risk to the public when drivers flee from police, driving in a dangerous manner in order to evade arrest.

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 http://hc-cs.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH, ON) – A resident of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh is facing a pair of charges in connection with a family dispute that took place at the end of December.

On December 30, 2020 at approximately 11:10 p.m. Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to a family dispute in progress in Dungannon. Upon arrival police learned the accused had just left the residence however it was learned he had caused extensive intentional damage to numerous items inside the family home before leaving.  

Shortly thereafter police located the accused at a nearby residence and informed him that he was under arrest. The accused resisted arrest and struggled with the officer until he was ultimately handcuffed and taken into custody.

Nelson BISHOP, 28 years of age from Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has been charged with Mischief and Resist Peace Officer. The accused has since been released from custody with a court date scheduled for February 22, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(GODERICH, ON) – A Goderich resident is facing charges after he resisted arrest and assaulted a police officer last weekend in Goderich.

On January 2, 2021 at approximately 1:30 p.m. a Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was patrolling on Gibbons Street in Goderich when he spotted a man with an outstanding arrest warrant. 

The officer confirmed the valid warrant and approached the accused to inform him that he would need to be taken into custody. At that point the accused refused to comply with the officer’s directions and attempted to flee into a residence. The officer attempted to gain physical control of the accused however he continued to resist arrest and in the process he assaulted the arresting officer.  Additional officers responded to the scene and assisted in taking the accused into custody.

Darren BRALL, 32 years of age from Goderich has been charged with Resist Peace Officer and Assault a Peace Officer. He has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for February 8, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich. 

(NORTH PERTH, ON) – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is asking for help from the public following a very costly mischief that occurred in the Municipality of North Perth.

On January 05 2020, the Perth County OPP received a report of a mischief that had occurred overnight at a new home construction site on Keeso Lane, Listowel. The suspects had entered the unoccupied home, and cut and removed copper wire from the residence. While only a small amount of copper was taken, the extensive damage caused to the home was valued at approximately $10,000.

This is not the first time that new home construction sites have been targeted in the North Perth area. The Perth County OPP is asking the public to call police immediately to report suspicious activity. Anyone in the area who may have video surveillance of the area is also being asked to check recordings for any relevant information.

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 http://hc-cs.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(WEST PERTH, ON) – Two people are facing charges after a collision in the Municipality of West Perth.

On December 31 2020, just before 5:30 a.m., the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a suspicious vehicle that had crashed in the ditch on Line 20, near Road 163, in the Municipality of West Perth. When police arrived on scene, two people were located walking away from the scene. The vehicle was determined to be stolen from Waterloo Region, and the two suspects were arrested.

As a result, Nickolas KERR, 42, of Stratford, has been charged with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000

Also, Holly LEONARD, 28, of Stratford, has been charged with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000

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.

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 http://hc-cs.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.  

(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – A Clinton resident has been charged with Public Mischief following a recent investigation conducted by Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). 

The charge arose after the accused reported her vehicle stolen to police on January 4, 2021. The accused provided a statement to police indicating her car was stolen from a business in Clinton shortly after midnight. 

Officers immediately searched the area for the stolen vehicle and about two hours later police located the vehicle on Kirk Street in Clinton. Following some astute observations by the investigating officer the case was unraveled and the accused was arrested.

Karissa DENOMME, 28 years of age from Clinton has been charged with Public Mischief. The accused has been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for March 1, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.