Category: Police Press Releases

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind motorists to continue to watch out for deer on roadways when travelling.

Based on OPP collision data November and December are two of the months in the calendar year when drivers are most likely to encounter deer on the roadways. If you drive on rural roads in Huron County it is almost a certainty that you will encounter deer on the roadway at some point. 

Over the last week Huron County OPP officers responded to a total of 28 collisions in the county. Exactly 50% were collisions involving animals, 13 with deer and one with a coyote.

Here are some tips for drivers to avoid collisions with wildlife.

• Pay attention to deer crossing warning signs and drive with extra caution when travelling through areas known to have large deer populations. Remember, if you see one deer there is a good chance others will be nearby.
• Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for collisions with deer.
• When driving at night always use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic and continually scan the roadway, shoulders and ditches for animals.   
• Always wear your seatbelt, most people injured in wildlife collisions were not.
• If you encounter a deer or large animal on the roadway, slow down and brake firmly if a collision is unavoidable. Avoid swerving for a deer. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid an animal only to hit another vehicle or lose control of their vehicle. 

If a collision does occur, stay calm and pull your vehicle off to the side of the roadway. Activate your emergency 4-way flashers and if you have to get out of your vehicle be aware of your surroundings. Call 9-1-1 if you or your passengers are injured. If nobody is injured and the dollar value of the damage exceeds $2,000, you are required to report the collision to police as soon as possible. Please use the non-emergent line to contact police by calling 1-888-310-1122.

Remember, when you see the deer warning signs please slow down and take caution, the signs are there for a reason.

(GREY HIGHLANDS, ON) – On November 28, 2020 at 10:54 a.m., Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a (black) car for excessive speeding on Highway 10, near Flesherton, in the Municipality of Grey Highlands.    

This motor vehicle was travelling over 150 kilometres per hour (km/h) in the posted 80 km/h speed limit.  

Grey Bruce OPP have charged the driver, Stefan RICHARDSON, 26 years-of-age, from Mississauga, ON with stunt driving – 50km/h or more over posted speed limit, contrary to section 172(1) Highway Traffic Act.

This driver was issued a Provincial Summons, a seven day drivers licence suspension and their vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days.

Anyone with information that can assist Grey Bruce OPP with this investigation, call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(SOUTHGATE, ON) – On November 29, 2020 at 9:03 a.m., Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to a break and enter in progress at a residence at Southgate Sideroad 21, in the Township of Southgate.  

The property was being monitored by a close circuit video surveillance system and OPP officers were called while the suspects were still inside the residence. Officers attended the residence and observed that the front door was damaged. When they entered the residence, they located and arrested two parties inside for break and enter.

As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged David BAYNTON, 51 years-of-age, from Southgate, ON with break and enter a dwelling house with intent to commit an indictable offence, section 348(1)(a) Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000., section 354(1)(a) CC.

Grey Bruce OPP have also charged Judy MATHESON, 56 years of age, from Southgate, ON with break and enter a dwelling house with intent to commit an indictable offence, section 348(1)(a) CC.

Both of the accused have been released on an Undertaking and they will both appear in Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on January 14, 2020.

Anyone with information that can assist Grey Bruce OPP with this investigation, call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Clinton resident with Impaired Operation & Dangerous Operation following a traffic stop that took place in early November.

On Thursday, November 5, 2020 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Huron OPP officers received multiple calls about a pickup truck that was travelling eastbound on Amberley Road in a very erratic manner.

An officer was able to intercept the suspect vehicle as it entered into Wingham and a traffic stop was initiated on John Street. Upon stopping the vehicle and speaking with the driver the investigating officer noted the driver was displaying signs of impairment by a drug. As such, an arrest was made and the driver was searched. Upon searching the driver the investigating officer found the driver to be in possession of a small quantity of suspected cocaine. 

The driver was transported to the Clinton Detachment where an evaluation was conducted by a Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE). Upon completion of the examination, the DRE deemed the driver to be impaired by a drug. 

Alexander DUNN, 25 years of age from Clinton has been charged with Impaired Operation, Dangerous Operation and Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Cocaine. The accused was released from custody with a court date scheduled for December 21, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is announcing that, as of today, it will be using the mobile application what3words in its Provincial Communications Centres (PCCs). In an emergency situation, if a caller contacts an OPP PCC and doesn’t know where they are, the app will help call-takers pinpoint the caller’s location so that OPP officers can quickly respond and more accurately know where to find the person(s) in need.

Use of the app will benefit both frontline OPP officers and PCC staff. Through its global mapping system, the app labels every three squared metres with a unique three-word location tag. The PCC call taker is able to enter the three words into the system, which converts the tag into latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. With the proper coordinates in hand, the PCC can direct officers to the precise location of the person in need.

When a member of the public contacts an OPP PCC, the call-taker will ask them if they are familiar with the app and if they have it downloaded onto their device. If they don’t have the app already downloaded on their phone, the call-taker can send callers a link that will automatically show them their three-word location tag. This process requires minimal cellular and data signals for the caller’s phone to first receive the link and then for them to open and load their location tag from it. If a caller already has the app downloaded on their device, it works without internet or data, so they can still provide the PCC with their location code even in locations without a cellular signal.

The process will assist OPP officers in locating parties in remote and forested areas where signal is limited and on vast waterways. The use of technology can offer many benefits and the OPP is proud to incorporate progressive tools such as this one to assist with its goal of a safer Ontario for everyone. The OPP is encouraging members of the public to download the free app in case of emergency.

“The what3words app offers precise location information when a caller cannot describe, or does not know, where they are. This exciting technology may help save precious time in an emergency and enable a more rapid frontline response.” – A/Chief Karen Meyer

(SOUTH HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers are investigating the recent theft of a pickup truck stolen from a business located south of Exeter.

The stolen truck was taken from a parking lot of a business located on Crediton Road on November 26, 2020. At approximately 4:30 a.m. suspects entered into the parking lot in a black GMC Sierra pickup and within minutes both vehicles are seen leaving the property heading westbound on Crediton Road.

The stolen truck, is described as a 2004 red Chevrolet Silverado pickup with a 5^th wheel hitch in the bed of the truck. The stolen truck looks similar to the one in the attached photo.

Any person with information regarding this theft 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), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

(NORTH HURON, ON) – A Morris-Turnberry resident is facing a shoplifting charge after he was caught last week stealing from a grocery store in Wingham.

Shortly before 2:00 p.m. on November 23, 2020 a Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer happened to be in the right spot at the right time in Wingham when a shoplifting incident unfolded.

The officer watched as a store employee yelled at and followed a suspect out of a grocery store for shoplifting. The officer quickly took action and detained the suspect. A subsequent search revealed the suspect had taken several items of food from the store.

Tyler SMITH, 35 years of age from Morris-Turnberry has been charged with Theft Under $5,000. He has since been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for January 11, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.

(HOWICK, ON) – A fatal two-vehicle crash that took place this summer on Harriston Road has now resulted in charges against a Howick resident. 

Brandon COX, a 24-year-old from Clifford was killed in the collision that took place on August 19, 2020 west of Harriston.

Investigators from the West Region OPP Traffic Incident Management & Enforcement (TIME) Team and the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment conducted the investigation and it was determined the defendant’s pickup truck had crossed over the centre line into the path of the deceased’s vehicle.  

Nathan CRAWFORD, a 33-year-old from Howick is facing the following charges:

·        Careless Driving Causing Death

·        Operate a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance

·        Driver – Fail to Properly Wear Seat Belt

A court date has been scheduled for January 5, 2021 at Provincial Offences Court in Goderich. 

(TOWNSHIP OF GUELPH-ERAMOSA, ON) – On November 29, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a motor vehicle driving erratically on Highway 7 near Watson Road in the Township of Guelph-Eramosa.

Police located the vehicle and spoke with the driver and determined that their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol and they were place under arrest. The driver was transported to a local OPP Operation Centre for further testing.

Rebecca Lynn MCBROOM, 26-years-old of Toronto has been charged with Impaired Operation-alcohol or drug, Impaired Operation – 80 Plus (mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood), and Operate Motor Vehicle with Open Container of Liquor.

 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 8, 2021.

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.

(COUNTY OF BRANT, ON) – County of Brant, Oxford, Norfolk, Huron and Elgin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Units (CSCU) with the OPP West Region Emergency Response Team along with Niagara Regional Police Criminal Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a business on Brant School Road in Cainsville in the County of Brant on November 26, 2020.

Police located nearly $100,000 in stolen property and several thousand illegal cannabis plants.

As a result of the warrant the following persons were arrested and charged:

Duc Sai LUONG 57-years-old of Mississauga Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

Duc NGO 42-years-old of Toronto Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Cultivate, propagate or harvest Illicit Cannabis not in a dwelling Contrary to Section 12 (6) (a) of The Cannabis Act.

Houng NGUYEN 48years-old of Toronto Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Cultivate, propagate or harvest Illicit Cannabis not in a dwelling Contrary to Section 12 (6) (a) of The Cannabis Act.

Long TRAN 41-years-old of North York Ontario has been charged with:

• Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5000 contrary to Section 354 (1) (a) of The Criminal Code of Canada

• Cultivate, propagate or harvest Illicit Cannabis not in a dwelling Contrary to Section 12 (6) (a) of The Cannabis Act.

The accused persons will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford at a later date to answer to their charges.

Anyone with information about any incident in the County of Brant can call the County of Brant OPP at 1-888-310-1122. 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.crimestoppers-brant.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.