Teens – Goderich Free Press

The Windsor Police Service has arrested four teenagers in connection with a kidnapping and extortion incident earlier this month.

Shortly after midnight on August 11, 2025, a male was walking in the 500 block of St. Joseph Street when he was confronted by four suspects in a stolen 2012 Subaru Legacy. Armed with a handgun and a machete, the suspects threatened the victim and forced him into the vehicle.

The victim was held against his will for roughly two hours, during which he was repeatedly assaulted and threatened with weapons. At one point, the suspects drove to a convenience store in the 300 block of Mill Street, pressed a machete to the victim’s stomach, and ordered him to steal alcohol. After complying, the victim was further assaulted and sprayed with a noxious substance before eventually escaping at a nearby park.

Following an investigation by the Windsor Police Major Crimes Unit, arrest warrants were issued for four youth suspects.

On August 14, at approximately 4 p.m., the OPP-led Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad arrested a 15-year-old male in the 900 block of Howard Avenue.

The following morning, officers arrested a 17-year-old male at a residence in the 800 block of Gladstone Avenue.

Shortly before 3 p.m. on August 19, the ROPE Squad located and arrested the remaining two suspects, both 15-year-old males, in the 90 block of Pine Street in Chatham.

All four suspects have been charged with:

Kidnapping
Extortion
Forcible confinement
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Failure to comply with a YCJA sentence (x 2)

The 17-year-old male is also charged with assault with a weapon.

One of the 15-year-old males is also charged with assault with a weapon (x 2), wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, and a third count of failure to comply with a YCJA sentence.

Another of the 15-year-old males is also charged with wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of the accused cannot be released publicly.

The stolen Subaru Legacy was later recovered by officers on Lillian Avenue, just north of Erie Street East.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4830, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.

Between August 16 and 18, 2025, masked suspects entered the compound of a business on South Vidal Street, Sarnia, by cutting through a section of perimeter fencing near a rail line. Once inside, they were captured on video as they forced entry into office space and stole computer equipment valued at more than $17,000, including a specialized computer tower and several laptops.

During the same incident, walls and security cameras were spray-painted with symbols, and a golf cart was taken but later recovered concealed near the fence line. After reviewing the video evidence, the officer believed the suspects intended to return for additional thefts. This information formed part of the daily briefing provided to officers within the SPS.

In the early morning hours of August 20 (approx 2 am), a patrol officer observed a vehicle parked suspiciously near the same compound and believed it to be associated with the break-in. Around the same time, security personnel called 911, reporting two individuals had again entered the property. Additional patrol officers quickly responded, and a coordinated containment was established with assistance from the K9 Unit and the on-duty members of the Emergency Response Team.

While establishing a perimeter, officers observed a golf cart being driven within the compound toward the area of the damaged fence. The two suspects abandoned the cart and attempted to flee on foot toward the waiting vehicle. Officers, who had set up containment of the area, intercepted them before they could reach it, announcing police presence and taking both into custody without incident.

The arrested individuals, both young offenders (16 and 17 years), are facing charges of break and enter. In accordance with Section 110 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, their identities are protected and cannot be released.

The investigation is still ongoing to determine what additional charges, if any, may be laid.