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
Brian Deboer, 69, was arrested on August 22 when a 15-year-old was sexually assaulted in the early hours of August 20 after accepting a ride. Police allege Deboer identified himself as an off-duty police officer and provided information that led the complainant to believe he was legitimate. After dropping off her friend at an unidentified location, the complainant was then driven to a nearby parking lot, where the alleged sexual assault occurred. Investigators are releasing Deboer’s name and photograph in an effort to identify any additional victims, witnesses, or anyone who may have had similar interactions with him, particularly involving a red vintage truck or circumstances in which he identified himself as a police officer. If you have any information Detective Constable Brandon Kohler of the Guelph Police Service at 519-824-1212 or bkohler [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Police are investigating after a woman had her finger broken during a dispute between roommates Tuesday evening, at an apartment near Willow and Bagot just after 7 pm, the resident reported he has been having issues with a roommate and asked the other man to move out when the suspect smashed a television before trying to force his way into the complainant’s bedroom. During the struggle the complainant’s girlfriend got her finger jammed in the door, fracturing it. The investigation is ongoing.
A 43-year-old Guelph man was arrested for assault with a weapon and uttering threats after an altercation with a man who was loitering outside a downtown church Thursday afternoon. The man responded by uttering a threat before throwing an unknown glass item, which narrowly missed the complainant and smashed on the ground.
A 31-year-old Guelph woman was charged with three counts of assaulting police on Wednesday evening after they responded to a disturbance near Speedvale and Marlborough. Officers encountered a woman who was irate and confrontational, and when they were trying to apprehend her, the woman twice kicked an officer in the leg. She was transported to hospital for assessment, where she remained confrontational and scratched a second officer’s arm before throwing urine at a third.
On Tuesday, a 51-year-old Guelph woman was arrested for three counts of assaulting police stemming from an incident last month where the woman, while in custody on a different matter, was being removed from her cell and became combative and attempted to kick one officer in the leg. She was transported to hospital for medical treatment, but once again became combative and scratched two officers’ forearms, breaking the skin of one officer who required medical attention.
Break-Ins
Just after 10:30 am last Saturday, police were called to a business on Quebec Street. At approximately 2:40 am , a man was captured on security cameras entering the business after prying a metal grate off a rear window. A cash register and rose gold-coloured iPhone were reported missing. The man was described as white and wearing a forest green t-shirt, forest green hoodie with a white logo on the front, black pants and black running shoes with white soles. If you have any information, call Constable Briar Smith at 519-824-1212, ext. 7349, or email bsmith [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Just after 7 am last Friday police were called to a business near Stone and Edinburgh after the owner arrived to discover the break-in and noted part of the ceiling had been torn down. The manager of a neighbouring business then reported a similar break-in with damage to the ceiling. It is believed access to the businesses was gained through a hatch on the roof. Cash and a safe was stolen from one business while a small amount of equipment was removed from the other. A suspect was caught on video at one of the affected businesses. He was described as wearing a blue sweater with white writing on the front, jeans, white shoes, a multicoloured bandana and gloves. If you have any information, call Constable Meagan Lackenbauer at 519-824-1212, ext. 7609, or email mlackenbauer [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Drugs
A 55-year-old Guelph man has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possessing a controlled substance, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing weapons for a dangerous purpose and possessing property obtained by crime following an investigation started earlier this summer. On Wednesday evening a search warrant was executed on an apartment in the area of College and Vanier and officers recovered quantities of fentanyl and psilocybin, a shotgun with ammunition, a replica handgun, cash and other weapons including prohibited knives, bear spray and brass knuckles.
Fraud
On Monday evening, officers were called to a south-end residence where a 15-year-old boy reported he was being asked for money after sending two explicit photos of himself through social media. The suspect, who initially claimed to be a teenaged girl, was threatening to post the photos online. No money was sent and the investigation is ongoing.
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.
Human Trafficking/IPV
On Tuesday, a 32-year-old Guelph man was arrested for possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, formerly known as child pornography after police examined devices seized during a search of a residence near Gordon and Kortright back in June.
Impaired Driving
A 44-year-old Kitchener man was charged with impaired driving and careless driving last Friday afternoon after a police patrol saw a vehicle being driven erratically in the area of Willow and Edinburgh. The vehicle was pulled over and the officer immediately noted an odour of alcohol and other signs of impairment. When asked for his licence the driver handed over his bank card.
A 22-year-old Kitchener woman was charged with impaired driving and novice driver having alcohol in their system last Saturday night after a patrol just outside the city observed an SUV with malfunctioning taillights. The officer followed it and observed the driver to be swerving and braking for no reason. The vehicle was stopped and the officer detected a strong odour of alcohol on the driver’s breath and other signs of impairment.
Theft
On Wednesday police were called to the business near Macdonell and Norfolk after staff arrived to find the front door kicked in. A cash register containing an undisclosed amount of cash was missing. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Philip Surafel at 519-824-1212, ext. 7815, or email psurafel [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Theft (Auto)
Just after 8 am on Thursday police were called to an address near Willow and Applewood where the homeowner reported the house was entered overnight and items including a wallet and three sets of vehicle keys were taken. A Honda Odyssey van, Chevrolet Cruze and Subaru Impreza were all stolen; the Cruze and Impreza were later recovered nearby while the Honda was tracked through on-board GPS to Etobicoke. The owner’s credit cards were used to make several purchases. If you have any information, call Detective Sergeant Ian Smith at 519-824-1212, ext. 7125, or email ismith [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Just before noon last Friday, a resident near Fleming and Law reported his sky blue 2024 Honda Ridgeline had been stolen from the driveway over the previous 24 hours. The truck has personalized licence plates but no other distinctive features. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Jessica Belcastro at 519-824-1212, ext. 7287, or email jbelcastro [at] guelphpolice.ca.
Traffic
On Wednesday morning a 26-year-old Guelph man turned himself in to police and was arrested for dangerous driving, flight from police, stunt driving, driving while suspended and several other Highway Traffic Act charges. On Sunday, a police patrol near Watson and Eastview observed a motorcycle with a very loud exhaust, riding on Eastview at an excessive speed and passing other traffic by crossing the solid yellow line on a hill. Through investigation police were able to identify the rider and learned he is a suspended driver and currently has other criminal driving charges pending before the courts.
Other Notes
A 31-year-old Guelph woman was charged with making a false fire alarm and two counts of breaching a bail order after emergency services responded to a fire alarm at an apartment building near Speedvale and Marlborough Road. After being released on bail for assaulting three police officers on Wednesday (see above), the woman went to the building despite being ordered to stay away from it, got into a dispute with another resident and pulled the fire alarm.
A 51-year-old Guelph man was arrested for committing an indecent act in public and two counts of breaching a probation order on Monday evening in Market Square. The suspect removed his shirt and sat down, and while seated he was observed touching himself with his hands inside his pants while looking in the direction of two parents and their young daughter.
A 25-year-old Brampton man was charged with obstruct police, four counts of driving while prohibited, breaching a probation order and several Highway Traffic Act offences last Saturday morning. Police stopped a car near Gordon and Wellington with the rear lights not properly illuminated. The driver was unable to provide his licence and provided a name later determined to be false. Turns out he was bound by several driving prohibitions and a probation order.
Total calls for service last week: 1,816
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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