Police beat: Another motorcycle crash

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The driver of a motorcycle was transported to a trauma centre with serious injuries following a two-vehicle collision here earlier this week.

Wellington County OPP officials say emergency crews were called to a collision involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle at Wellington Road 124 and 3rd Line in Guelph/Eramosa on Aug. 9 at about 12:30pm.

Police say the driver of the motorcycle was transported to a trauma centre with serious injuries and one occupant of the other vehicle was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to call 1-888-310-1122.

Four residential break-ins

ELORA – Police are looking for help to identify those responsible for four recent residential break-ins here. 

On Aug. 7, Wellington County OPP received reports that two houses on Colborne Street and two houses on Keating Drive in Elora were  broken into. 

“It is unknown what was stolen at this time,” police stated.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips. Tip providers may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

“The Wellington County OPP would like to encourage property owners to take measures to protect their property by ensuring it is properly secured and well lit. Installing video surveillance equipment can also serve as a deterrent to property crime,” police stated. 

“While many go on vacation over the summer, the Wellington County OPP is asking residents to take extra steps in securing their property.”

Police say those going on vacation should:

– have someone retrieve your mail; 

– have someone check on your residence regularly; 

– be mindful about posting your whereabouts on social media as perpetrators can often use this information to know when people are away; and 

– store valuables and important documents in inconspicuous places.

Harassment charges

MOUNT FOREST – A man from New York State is facing multiple charges in connection with several reports of harassment here.

Wellington County OPP officials say that on Aug. 6, police “were contacted by three separate individuals who advised that a person driving a red sedan had been following them. 

“Officers were able to locate the vehicle and the individual involved.”

Jeffrey Chapman, 52, of Brockport, New York, was  charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, dangerous driving, flight from a peace officer and three counts of criminal harassment.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.

Driver ignored sign

CENTRE WELLINGTON – A Kitchener driver has been charged after a car drove a round a “road closed” sign and struck debris that had fallen on the road following a major storm. 

On Aug. 3 at about 9:45pm, Wellington County OPP responded to the single-vehicle collision on a closed section of the 2nd Line, south of Elora. 

“The roadway was closed as debris from a severe weather event blocked the highway,” police stated. “It was reported that a black SUV. had driven around road closure barricades and struck the debris.”

A 45-year-old driver from Kitchener was charged with driving on a closed highway.

 Construction site theft

WELLINGTON NORTH – Wellington County OPP is asking for the public’s assistance regarding a break-in at a construction site here.

Police say that sometime overnight on Aug. 4, someone broke into the site on Concession 4 in Wellington North and stole about $10,000 worth of tools and supplies. 

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips. 

Meth, opioid charges

CLIFFORD – A Guelph man has been charged after police responded to a suspicious person call on James Street East here on Aug. 4 at about 7pm.

Charles Henry Bridges, 37, of Guelph, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a Schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine), possession of a Schedule 1 substance (opioid other than heroin)

The accused is scheduled to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Cambridge men charged

FERGUS –  Three individuals from Cambridge are facing multiple charges following a traffic complaint.

On Aug. 7 at about 12:30am, the Wellington County OPP received a report of a dark-coloured vehicle being operated in an erratic manner on Highway 6, south of Fergus. 

“Officers located the vehicle and were eventually able to stop it on Garafraxa Street, Fergus,” police stated in a press release. “During the investigation it was determined that the vehicle had been stolen.”

Iqbal Singh, 22, of Cambridge was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, dangerous driving, driving while impaired by alcohol/drugs and flight from a peace officer.

Harsh Sharma, 20, and Sahil Gautam, 22, both of Cambridge, were charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

All three are to appear in Guelph court at a later date. 

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at csgw.tips. 

Left without paying

FERGUS – Police are asking for the public’s assistance to identify a “person of interest” in a theft from a local store. 

On Aug. 4, Wellington County OPP received a report of a theft from a business on Tower Street South in Fergus that had occurred on July 29.

“The person of interest was seen placing several items in a backpack and left without paying for the items,” police stated.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.

Signs damaged/stolen

FERGUS – Wellington County OPP is asking for the public’s assistance after a local business had signs stolen and another damaged.

On Aug. 3, 2022, the Wellington County OPP received a report of a theft from a business on St. Patrick Street West in Fergus. 

Police say that between July 29 and Aug. 1, someone stole two signs and damaged a third. 

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Wellington County OPP  or Crime Stoppers. 

No insurance

MAPLETON – On July 29 at about 1:45pm, a Wellington County OPP officer stopped the driver of a grey pickup truck on Wellington Road 7, here. 

A 44-year-old driver from Kitchener was charged with driving without insurance and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

No permit, insurance

FERGUS – On Aug. 3 at about 4:30pm, a Wellington County OPP officer stopped the driver of a grey pickup truck on Gordon Street here.

A 17-year-old driver from Fergus was charged with failing to apply for permit on becoming an owner and driving without insurance.

The defendant is scheduled to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Driving charges

GUELPH – On July 30 at about 4pm, a Wellington County OPP officer stopped the driver of a black hatchback on Curtis Drive here.

 A 36-year-old driver from Guelph was charged with failing to properly wear seat belt, driving without a valid permit, having an improper muffler and driving without insurance.

The defendant is scheduled to appear in Guelph court at a later date.