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
On Thursday morning, a 15-year-old Guelph girl was arrested for assault with a weapon, assault, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and administering a noxious substance for an incident last month at a downtown parkade last month.
On Monday, a 20-year-old Guelph woman turned herself in to police and was arrested for assault with a weapon for an incident last Thursday where a man got into a verbal altercation with a woman he had just met that night at a bar. The altercation became physical when the woman threw a glass, which struck the victim’s upper lip causing a laceration which required stitches.
Break-Ins
Three men arrived just before 2 am at a business near Silvercreek and Speedvale in what appeared to be a Honda Odyssey van. They used crowbars to pry open a rear steel door and a quantity of cash was stolen while a cash register was damaged. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Aron Safranyos at 519-824-1212, ext. 7812, or email asafranyos [at] guelphpolice.ca.
On Tuesday morning a 56-year-old Guelph man was located downtown and arrested for break and enter and theft over $5,000 for an incident Sunday where a man entered a home near Gordon and Edinburgh Road by smashing a decorative window and then stealing items worth approximately $7,500. During a search following his arrest, officers recovered a hacksaw and large set of tin snips. He was further charged with possessing break-in instruments.
Fraud
On Wednesday, a 31-year-old Fergus woman turned herself in to police and was charged with 45 counts of fraud under $5,000 after months of investigation. In January, a woman discovered dozens of unauthorized cheques had been issued to her parents’ support worker and deposited into her account. Some cheques were deposited months after they were made out, including some deposited after the couple had started paying the worker via e-transfer.
Two Scarborough men – aged 30 and 22 – were arrested on 12 counts each of fraud under $5,000 on Tuesday after staff from two businesses near Gordon and Clair reported the men entered and asked to exchange large bills for smaller ones. The men then asked for the bills to be exchanged again, eventually confusing the employees and leaving the store with more money than they had when they entered. One business reported a loss of $200 while another was out $120.
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 26-year-old Guelph man was charged with impaired driving after almost hitting a police cruiser while making a U-turn without proper lighting early Tuesday. Tests revealed he had twice the legal amount of alcohol in his system.
A 49-year-old Elmira man was charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident following an incident Sunday when a heavily-damaged car had entered the McDonald’s drive-thru at Watson and Eastview. Investigation revealed the driver had rear-ended an SUV at the intersection of Victoria and Eramosa and then fled. Police believe the suspect’s vehicle may have been involved in a second collision so if you have any information email Constable Mike Braga at mbraga [at] guelphpolice.ca.
A 49-year-old Guelph man was arrested for impaired driving, dangerous driving and uttering threats following a traffic stop on Woodlawn Road West last Saturday evening. The driver was uncooperative with police and repeatedly threatened responding officers.
A 20-year-old Simcoe County man was arrested for impaired operation after two men were found sleeping in a pickup on St. Arnaud Street last Friday morning. Several open containers of beer were located inside.
A 60-year-old Erin man was arrested for impaired driving following a traffic stop on Elmira Road North last Saturday afternoon after a report of a vehicle being driven erratically.
A 37-year-old Paris man was arrested for impaired operation after he was observed leaving a licensed establishment on Silvercreek Parkway South late last Saturday.
Theft
On Monday, a 52-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested, returned to Guelph and charged with nine counts of theft under $5,000 and seven counts of mischief under $5,000. In late June, an ATM technician contacted police after responding to several reports of cash machines not working in various areas of Guelph. The technician discovered “cash traps” had been installed on the machines. These devices exactly mimic the cash dispenser doors and were applied with double-sided tape, causing withdrawn cash to be trapped between the dispenser and the fake door. Suspects then returned to remove the trap and collect the cash stuck inside before reapplying the trap. At least six banks across the city were affected and at least $4,400 is known to have been stolen. A 41-year-old man was also arrested on Wednesday and is facing the same charges.
A 49-year-old Guelph woman was charged with robbery, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, forcible confinement and uttering threats. Early last Saturday, a man reported he had been sitting in a bus shelter on Norfolk Street when he was approached by a woman who pulled out a knife and held it towards him while demanding his property. She blocked the exit while making threats. The pair are known to each other.
Theft (Auto)
Just after 7 pm on Thursday police were called to the area of Imperial and Paisley where a Nissan Rogue had collided with a hydro pole. Witnesses said the male driver had fled on foot prior to police arrival. He was described as white, late 20s to early 30s and wearing a black tank top, black shorts and flip-flops. The car itself was stolen from Stone Road Mall, and the suspect removed the owner’s brown leather jacket before fleeing. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Kent Schneider at 519-824-1212, ext. 7164, or email kschneider [at] guelphpolice.ca.
A 55-year-old Wellington County man was charged with possessing proceeds of crime over $5,000 and trafficking in stolen goods over $5,000 after he tried to sell undercover Guelph Police officers a 2016 Lexus sports car.
Traffic
A 46-year-old Guelph woman was charged with failing to stop after an accident, dangerous driving and driving while prohibited on Wednesday for a September 8 collision at Edinburgh and London where an UV abruptly changed lanes and struck another vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Other Notes
A 41-year-old Toronto man was arrested for committing an indecent act after removing all his clothes at the Market Square splashpad on Sunday morning while children were present. He was released from the police station with conditions including one banning him from attending splashpads, however police were called back to Market Square a short time later after Bylaw officials spotted the man. Investigation revealed he had also entered a downtown business and stole a bottle of alcohol, which was recovered when he was arrested and he was further charged with theft under $5,000 and failing to comply with an undertaking.
Total calls for service last week: 1,919
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.
Guelph Politico 