Waterloo Region, Ontario –Waterloo Regional have charged a male in connection to multiple commercial break-and-enters.
Between December 9 and 10, 2024, a male broke into four businesses in Waterloo Region, one on Sydney Street in Kitchener and three in Cambridge, on Eagle Street, Hespeler Road and Holiday Inn Drive.
In each of the break-ins, a rock was used to smash a glass door and gain entry, and property and cash were stolen.
WRPS’ Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft Team subsequently identified the male and determined he had been arrested in Guelph on December 11, 2024, after breaking into a business.
As a result of the investigation, Waterloo Regional Police have charged a 37-year-old male with four counts of break and enter – commit theft.
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police has arrested and charged a youth for assault with a weapon at a public school in the city of Kitchener.
On December 19, 2024 a group of youths all wearing face mask entered the school and was asked to leave by faculty. One of the youths grabbed a fire extinguisher from the same facility and discharged it towards the faculty member. The youths then left the school immediately after.
There are no reports of any physical injuries.
The same group of youths went to a plaza in the area of Westmount Road East and Laurentian Drive. The group began yelling racial slurs at bystanders and assaulted a business owner as they were stealing merchandise. The youths then continued to another business where they caused minor property damage.
Police were able to locate and arrest one youth from this group and charged them with a number of Criminal Code offences and breaches.
Police are still actively seeking to identify the other youths involved in these incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777.
Waterloo Region, Ontario –Waterloo Regional Police are currently investigating a shooting incident that occurred at a Cambridge residence.
On December 18, 2024, at approximately 7:45 a.m., police responded to reports of residential property damage caused by a firearm in the area of Munch Avenue and Sekura Street.
There are no reports of any physical injuries and it is believed the incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m.
The investigation remains ongoing and there will be an increased police presence in the area throughout the day.
Police are encouraging anyone with information or video surveillance to call 519-570-9777, extension 6370.
Waterloo Region, Ontario –Waterloo Regional Police are warning business owners to be safe after police responded to multiple break and enters.
Between December 16 and December 17, police have responded to several break and enters in the region. In many of the incidences, the suspects forcefully made entry by either breaking windows or doors during early hours of the morning.
Police are continuing the investigation to determine if the incidents are connected.
Police are reminding business owners of the following:
Make sure all security devices are in working order
Report any suspicious activity that may be observed during and after business hours
Contact 911 immediately if you find your business broken into, and do not enter before police arrival
Police are asking anyone who witnesses any suspicious behavior or a crime in progress to contact police immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777.
Waterloo Region, Ontario –Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a robbery at a Cambridge mall.
On December 16, 2024, at approximately 8:15 p.m., police responded to reports of a jewelry store robbery at Cambridge Centre Mall on Hespeler Road.
Three unknown masked males entered the business armed with hammers, smashed the display cases and stole merchandise.
The suspects are believed to have fled the parking lot area in an awaiting getaway car.
The three suspects were described as brown males, thin build, and believed to be late teens or early 20’s. The suspects were carrying duffel bags at the time of the incident.
There were no physical injuries reported.
The investigation is ongoing by WRPS’ Robbery Team.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777, extension 8255.
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have charged two youths after a misleading call was made to 9-1-1.
On December 15, 2024, at approximately 7:20 a.m., police received a report of a stabbing incident that had taken place in Kitchener’s Victoria Park.
Through extensive investigation, it was determined that the alleged stabbing did not take place and that the call to police was made intentionally to initiate a response from emergency services.
As a result of the investigation, a 13-year-old youth and a 14-year-old youth, both from Waterloo, were arrested and charged with Public Mischief.
The Waterloo Regional Police would like to remind members of the public to only call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate risk to the safety of people or property.
This service quickly links callers to Police, Fire and/or Ambulance Services. When a citizen calls 9-1-1, the goal is to ensure the appropriate Emergency Service responds as quickly as possible. When misused, it ties up resources that may be needed at other serious and life-threatening incidents.
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police’s Traffic Services Unit is investigating a pedestrian collision in Cambridge.
On December 14, 2024, at approximately 11:25 a.m., emergency services responded to reports of a collision between a SUV and a pedestrian at the intersection of Ainslie Street North and Main Street.
The pedestrian, a 61-year-old male was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver, a 82-year-old female reported no physical injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is encouraged to call police at 519-570-9777, extension 8856.
To provide anonymous information, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have arrested three individuals in connection to a distraction theft in Waterloo.
On December 13, 2024, at approximately 5:20 p.m., police responded to a store in the area of Erb Street West and Fischer-Hallman Road after an employee recognized two females believed to be involved in a series of recent distraction thefts targeting elderly victims.
Officers attended and arrested the two females. Through investigation it was determined that one of the females had distracted the victim while the other female stole belongings from the victims’ purse while in the store.
A getaway vehicle was located in the parking lot and a male occupant was also arrested.
As part of the investigation, officers seized several bank cards, credit cards, cell phones and the vehicle.
As a result of the investigation, a 34-year-old female, a 56-year-old female and a 38-year-old male, all from Mississauga, were charged with:
Unauthorized use of a credit card
Theft under $5,000 (two counts)
The male was also charged with Breach of Probation.
The three accused were held for a bail hearing.
The investigation remains ongoing by WRPS’ General Investigations Unit and additional charges are expected.
Members of the public are encouraged to keep their personal belongings on them while shopping and do not leave personal belongings unattended in shopping carts.
Police believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information about the distractions thefts to contact police by calling 519-570-9777, extension 6370.
To provide anonymous information, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com
Waterloo Region, Ontario –Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic Service Unit is continuing to investigate a serious collision involving a motorcycle in Cambridge.
On May 10, 2024, at approximately 2:25 p.m., emergency services responded to a collision involving a Nissan SUV and a motorcycle on King Street East.
The driver of the motorcycle, a 64-year-old Cambridge male, was transported by air ambulance to an out-of-region hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the Nissan, 58-year-old Kitchener male, was not injured.
King Street East between Westminster Drive and Waterloo Street was closed for the investigation and has since been reopened.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are anticipated.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is encouraged to call police at 519-570-9777, extension 8856.
To provide anonymous information, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police Service has arrested and charged a male in connection to a large-scale investment fraud investigation.
In March 2023, investigators from WRPS’ General Investigations Unit – Commercial Fraud began an investigation into an ongoing investment fraud.
Throughout the 14-month-long investigation, WRPS investigators collaborated with other agencies, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and identified 23 victims from across Ontario who sustained losses of over $1.4 million.
On May 7, 2024, as a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged David Villanueva, a 62-year-old Guelph male, with:
Fraud Over $5,000
Make False Statement in Writing
Laundering Proceeds of Crime
The accused was held in police custody for a bail hearing.
Police believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to contact police by calling 519-570-9777, extension 6420.
When making decisions regarding investing, Waterloo Regional Police Service encourages members of the public to consider the following to help prevent becoming a victim of fraud:
Be cautious of higher than normal returns on investments.
Research any investment opportunity you are considering, as well as the company or person you are dealing with.
Keep detailed records.
Check the legitimacy of the investment through regulatory sites.
For more information about fraud prevention, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://wrps.info/3TvkAuG.
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have seized over $9 million worth of drugs and more than $800,000 in currency in connection to an organized crime drug trafficking investigation. This is one of the largest drug seizures in WRPS’ history.
In March 2023, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Patrol officers responded to a report of a residential break-and-enter in the area of Fergus Avenue and Weber Street East in Kitchener and located multiple kilograms of suspected cocaine inside the residence. WRPS’ Drugs and Firearms Unit then commenced an organized crime drug trafficking investigation that resulted in the completion of search warrants at two Kitchener residences, one in the area of Weber Street East and Fergus Avenue and the other in the area of Victoria Street South and Park Street, and the seizure of cocaine, MDMA, crystal methamphetamine, almost $100,000 in Canadian currency, and seven firearms.
On April 26, 2024, as part of the ongoing investigation, officers from WRPS’ Criminal Intelligence Unit, with assistance from the Emergency Response Team, completed two search warrants at Kitchener residences in the areas of Sims Estate Drive and Fairway Road North, and Homer Watson Boulevard and Old Carriage Drive. A search warrant was also completed on a 2023 Audi motor vehicle. Investigators seized multiple kilograms of suspected cocaine, suspected crystal methamphetamine, and Canadian currency.
Over the course of the 13-month-long investigation, police seized:
More than 86 kilograms of suspected cocaine
Over 3 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine
Approximately 700 grams of MDMA
Approximately $815,000 in Canadian currency
Seven handguns
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $9 million.
A 31-year-old male and a 22-year-old female, both from Kitchener, were arrested on April 26, 2024, and have been jointly charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime. The male is also facing three additional counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Both accused parties were held in police custody for a bail hearing.
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic Services Unit is investigating a serious, pedestrian-involved collision in Waterloo.
On May 2, 2024, at approximately 9:25 p.m., emergency services responded to reports of a collision involving a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at Northfield Drive West and Havelock Drive.
The involved vehicle, described as a white sedan, possibly a Honda Civic, did not remain at the scene and was last seen travelling east on Northfield Drive West.
The pedestrian, a 60-year-old Waterloo male, was transported to an out-of-region hospital with serious injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is encouraged to call WRPS’ Traffic Services Unit at 519-570-9777, extension 8856.
Anonymous information can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com
Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have arrested and charged two females with drug-related offences after completing search warrants at two businesses in Waterloo Region.
On May 2, 2024, members of the Direct Action Response Team (DART) completed search warrants at businesses in the areas of King Street East in Cambridge and Victoria Street South and Park Street in Kitchener.
Investigators seized a large quantity of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) in various forms and Canadian currency.
A 19-year-old and a 32-year-old from Cambridge, were arrested and charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Fail to Comply with Undertaking.
One of the accused parties was held for bail.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service wishes to emphasize to the public that the sale (trafficking) of psilocybin is a criminal offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), as psilocybin is categorized as a Schedule III controlled substance. Businesses engaged in selling these products are operating unlawfully, and the substances they offer are neither regulated nor subject to quality control measures.
