Police beat: BC man charged in connection with 2020 drug bust

PALMERSTON – Police have arrested and charged a BC man in connection with a drug bust here six years ago.

Wellington County OPP officials say police “executed a search warrant at a residence in Palmerston in relation to a drug trafficking investigation” in May of 2020.

“The search resulted in a significant seizure of suspected methamphetamine and items consistent with drug trafficking,” police stated in a June 8 press release.

Five days earlier, a man was arrested in British Columbia and transported back to Ontario, police added.

Christopher O’Neill, 42, of Kelowna, BC, was charged with possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine) and failing to comply with a release order.

He was to appear in Guelph court on June 8.

Pedestrian hit by vehicle

FERGUS – An Arthur driver has been charged after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Fergus last week. 

Emergency crews responded to the intersection of St. David Street North and Garafraxa Street East on June 5 at about 2:45pm.

Wellington County OPP officials say a  pedestrian struck by a vehicle “sustained minor injuries and was assessed at the scene by paramedics.”

A 23-year-old from Arthur was charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian and fined $365.

SUV hits car, building

ELORA – One person received minor injuries after an SUV collided with another vehicle and then a building.

Wellington County OPP officials say emergency crews responded to the crash, at the intersection of Wellington Road 21 (McNab Street) and Wellington Road 7 in Elora, on June 1 at about 5:30pm.

“It is reported that the driver of the SUV collided with the other vehicle before colliding into a building,” police stated in a press release. “The intersection was closed for approximately one hour ... One driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries. No charges have been laid at this point.”

Dump truck crash

ERIN – A Brampton dump truck driver has been charged following a three-vehicle collision here last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say emergency crews responded to the intersection of Trafalgar Road and Wellington Road 124 in Erin on June 1 at about 4:15pm.

Police say “one driver sustained minor injuries” in the crash, which involved a dump truck, SUV and a four-door sedan.

A 36-year-old from Brampton was charged with careless driving, failing to stop at a red light and failing to accurately complete a daily inspection report.

The accused will appear in Guelph court on a later date.

Police seek to identify ‘dangerous’ dirt bikers

ERIN – Police are seeking help to identify several teenaged dirt bike riders they say are endangering themselves and others with reckless behaviour on local roads.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers monitoring traffic in Erin saw several dirt bikes on local roads on June 2 at around 12pm. 

“These dirt bike riders have been the cause of numerous traffic complaints, involving operating at excessive speeds, dangerously, un-plated, and with little care for others on the road,” police stated in a June 4 press release.

“There is also concern for their safety due to their erratic driving behaviours.”

Police say that when OPP officers have tried to pull the dirt bikes over, “the riders fail to stop for police and instead accelerate and flee the scene with no regards to others around them.”

The dirt bikers are likely between the ages of 15 and 17 years of age, police added.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-310-1122. 

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at csgw.tips or toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Five charges for teen

CENTRE WELLINGTON – A local teenager is facing five charges, including for carrying a radar detector, following a traffic stop here last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers were monitoring traffic on 8th Line West in Centre Wellington on June 2 at about 4pm.

A 19-year-old from Elora was charged with driving with a speed measuring warning device, failing to properly wear a seatbelt, driving with a defective braking system and two counts of driving with improper tires.

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