Police beat: Arthur man faces numerous charges after traffic stop

ORANGEVILLE – An Arthur man is facing numerous charges after a traffic stop here last week.

Dufferin OPP officials say officers stopped the man for an alleged driving offence on April 26.

“The officers were led into a criminal investigation which resulted in charging the driver with multiple offences,” police stated in a press release.

Police say the following items were seized from the man/vehicle: methamphetamine, marijuana, over $1,000 in Canadian currency, a cellphone, forged Ontario driver’s licence and unauthorized vehicle plates.

Travis Hewitson, 32, of Arthur, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000), possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine), driving with  cannabis readily available,  failing to comply with a probation order, possession of a forged document, driving while prohibited, driving while suspended and using an unauthorized plate.

The accused was held for  a bail hearing.

Break-in

MAPLETON –  On April 23, Wellington County OPP officers responded to a break-in sometime overnight at a building on the 18th Line here. 

Bryce Johnathon Shaw,  24, of Conn, was charged with break and enter a dwelling house with intent to commit an indictable offence, theft of a vehicle (over $5,000), trespassing at night, theft (under $5,000), possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000) and mischief (over $5,000).

He is to appear in the Guelph court on June 16.

Break-in, threats

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – On April 22, Wellington County OPP officers responded to a break-in at a house here. Police say someone broke into the home, caused damages, and made threats to the resident.

A 24-year-old from Guelph, was charged with break and enter a dwelling house with intent to commit an indictable offence and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. The accused was held for bail.

Two charged with ‘serial’ makeup thefts

FERGUS – Police have charged two Fergus residents in what they’re calling a “serial shoplifting investigation,” though they only provided two incidents involving the accused individuals.

Police say two people “shoplifted over $1,000 in cosmetics” on March 28 “from a retailer on Tower Street South” in Fergus. 

About two weeks later, on April 11, someone shoplifted about $500 in cosmetics from the same store, police added.

“In both cases, surveillance footage aided in the identification of the accused,” police stated in a press release.

On April 25 the OPP announced a Fergus woman, 36, was charged with two counts of theft under $5,000; and a Fergus man, 37, was charged with one count of theft under $5,000.

They are to appear in court in June.

Charge in 2022 assault

FERGUS – Police have charged a Fergus woman in connection with an assault here last summer.

On Aug. 17 at about 9pm, Wellington County OPP officers responded to an assault at a residence on Edinburgh Avenue in Fergus. 

Police say someone “assaulted a resident and fled prior to police arrival.”

On April 26 police announced Julie Michelle Frater, 46, of Fergus, was charged with assault. She is to appear in Guelph court on May 30.

‘Vehicle damaged’

HARRISTON – On April 21 at about 2pm, Wellington County OPP respond to a disturbance on Fergus Street South here.

Police say “an argument escalated, and a vehicle was damaged.”

A 17-year-old from Belleville was charged with mischief and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Release order violated

ARTHUR – On April 10 at about 10:15pm, Wellington County OPP responded to a disturbance at a business here. 

Police say “an individual was failing to comply with release orders related to intimate partner violence charges.”

A 24-year-old from Elmira was charged with failure to comply with release order and was held for bail. 

Spousal assault

MOUNT FOREST – On April 9 at about 7:30pm, Wellington County OPP) responded to a disturbance at a house here.

A 31-year-old from Wellington North was charged with assault with a weapon (spousal), mischief  and theft (under $5,000). 

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

Order violated

PALMERSTON – On April 18 at about 3pm, Wellington County OPP responded to a reported release order violation in Palmerston. 

Police say the order was “in relation to charges stemming from an intimate partner violence investigation.”

A 29-year-old from Wallaceburg was charged with failing to comply with an undertaking. The accused was held for bail. 

Vehicle stolen

MOUNT FOREST – On April 6 Wellington County OPP responded to reported vehicle theft from a residence on Henry Street here.

Police say “a known individual had stolen a passenger vehicle from the home.”

Chester Lewis, 21, of Mount Forest, was charged with theft of a vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000), failure to comply with an undertaking and driving without a licence.

He is to appear in Guelph court on June 6.

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Anyone with information about any of the above incidents 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.