There are 145,000 stories in the Royal City, and this is some of them. Looking at a week’s worth of media releases from the Guelph Police Service, there’s a lot going on in our little city crime-wise speaking, so let’s run down some of the charges, issues, and requests for information from the Guelph Police Service over the last seven days.
***Please note that not all offenses and police calls are reported in the daily Guelph Police media release.
Assault
A 15-year-old Guelph boy was charged with possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose on Wednesday after he pulled a knife on the Stone Road Mall security guard who was escorting him from the building.
A 19-year-old man was charged with carrying a concealed weapon after police received reports of a man inside Stone Road Mall lifting his sweater to reveal a black pistol tucked in his waistband during a dispute between two groups of friends. Turns out it was a pellet gun.
A 28-year-old Guelph man was arrested for assault with a weapon, assault and mischief under $5,000 last Saturday after a man was seen leaving a bar having stolen several alcoholic beverages. An employee followed and tried to stop the man, who threw one of the drinks striking the victim in the chest and then he was pushed from behind and punched twice in the head when the victim bent over to pick up the can.
Drugs
A 32-year-old Guelph man was charged with trafficking cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking on Wednesday after officers observed two people in a vehicle near Eastview Road and Summit Ridge Drive. The arrest was made in connection to an undercover operation from back in February.
Fraud
A 33-year-old Quebec man was arrested for fraud over $5,000 and possessing an identity document in another name after an employee at a Stone Road business recognized a man trying to rent a U-Haul truck from an alert about a number of fraudulent rentals in which the vehicles were not returned. Officers arrived and arrested the man, seizing a Quebec driver’s licence as well as the Alberta licence with a fake name. It is believed the man was involved in at least five U-Haul rentals using various aliases in Waterloo Region and Quebec.
If you think you might be a victim of any fraud, call the Guelph Police Non-Emergency line is 519-824-5154, or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at their website.
Impaired Driving
A 51-year-old Guelph man was charged with impaired driving after a traffic stop last Saturday morning inside the West Parkade downtown. The officer detected a strong odour of alcohol on the man’s breath and noted signs of impairment, and tests confirmed that he had more than twice the legal amount of alcohol in his system.
Theft
Just after 11 am on Monday police were called to a robbery in progress at a business near Silvercreek and Willow. An employee reported a man entered the business and used a large pry tool to break through locked doors leading to the employee-only area. The sole employee locked herself in an office while the suspect removed cash from registers before fleeing the business. He was observed running to a neighbouring parking lot where it is believed he entered a vehicle and fled the scene. The suspect was described as a black male with a medium build and wearing a black hoodie with a circle logo on the front, dark pants, red shoes and a face mask. If you have any information, call Detective Constable Scott Carroll at 519-824-1212, ext. 7489, or email swcarroll [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Police are investigating after several reports of attempted distraction thefts on Sunday. Between 11 am and 12:35 pm, several residents were approached by parties in a vehicle who asked for directions and made attempts to touch the complainants. The incidents took place on Kathleen Street, Maple Street, Forest Street and Rickson Avenue. In each case, the vehicle was described as a black SUV with a male driver and female passenger, and a second female passenger in the rear seat. All had brown skin and one of the females was described as wearing a colourful scarf. None of the victims sustained any loss and at least two recognized the individuals from previous suspicious interactions.
Police are investigating after a woman reported that after she had returned from an extended trip and noticed that jewellery – including several rings and earrings – were missing from her downtown condo. The stolen jewelry includes a family heirloom rose gold ring passed down from her grandfather. If you have any information, call Constable Jessica Belcastro at 519-824-1212, ext. 7287, or email jbelcastro [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Theft (Auto)
Just before 8 am on Monday, a resident near Gordon and Lowes reported that his black 2024 Tundra had been stolen overnight. The complainant parked it Sunday evening and found broken glass on the driveway in the morning. This was after other attempted thefts of Tundras in two other south-end neighbourhoods. If you have any information, call Constable Jessica Belcastro at 519-824-1212, ext. 7287, or email jbelcastro [at] guelphpolice.ca.
At 3:15 am on Monday, police were called to the area of Ptarmigan and Pheasant Run after a resident heard glass breaking and saw someone inside her neighbour’s truck. Officers arrived to find the 2023 Toyota Tundra in the middle of the road because it had a disabling device. Just after 4 am, officers were called to the area of MacAlister and Dudley, two men tried to steal a 2022 Tundra, and at 4:36 am, a resident near Clairfields and Beaver Meadow. A resident reported a man was caught on video after 4 am to steal his 2026 Lexus RX350, but was scared off when the homeowner activated his doorbell alarm. It is believed the attempted thefts are related.
One of the involved males was described as black, in his 20s, with an average height and build. He was wearing a black sweater with the hood up, dark pants, a high-visibility vest and a medical mask and gloves. Another witness described a male wearing a dark sweater with white stripes on the arms, dark Adidas track pants and medical gloves. It is believed the suspects were driving a white Honda Civic and a dark-coloured Acura determined to have been stolen from Brampton. Anyone with information is asked to call the Guelph Police Service at 519-824-1212.
Traffic
Police conducted three random spot checks on commercial vehicles Wednesday afternoon. Two of the three trucks were found to have significant safety defects, including broken suspension components, insecure exhausts and defective brake lights. One of the trucks was repaired on-site by a mechanic and allowed to continue, while the other was ordered off the road until the necessary repairs can be undertaken. Four charges were laid for driving a commercial motor vehicle with major or minor defects and failing to ensure performance standards are met.
A 29-year-old Erin man was charged with driving while prohibited, driving while suspended, breaching a probation order and driving without a valid permit a plate reader was alerted to a vehicle without a current permit downtown on Tuesday. The vehicle was pulled over and through investigation it was determined the driver is prohibited from driving following a hit and run conviction. The vehicle, which is owned by the man’s boss, was impounded for 45 days.
A 71-year-old Guelph man was arrested for two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking, failing to remain at a collision and careless driving on Monday for a collision last month near Woodlawn and Nicklin.
Other Notes
A 35-year-old Guelph woman is bound by two different court orders banning her from possessing weapons and she was arrested for breaching those orders pm on Monday after a woman was found lying on the ground near Liverpool and Arnold. While speaking to her to determine her well-being, officers found a cannister of bear spray.
Total calls for service last week: 1,508
If you have any information about the crimes or incidents mentioned above, you can also call Guelph Wellington Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or post online at csgw.tip.
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