Police beat: Drunk in public, assaulted police officer

ARTHUR – A local resident is charged with assaulting a police officer, among other things, following an incident in Arthur last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to “an incident at an address in Arthur” on April 8 at about 3:45pm.

A 37-year-old from Arthur was charged with failing to comply with a release order, mischief and being intoxicated in public place.

Police say the accused, while in police custody,  “became aggressive and was further charged with” assaulting a peace officer and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

The accused was held in police custody pending a bail hearing.

“The name of the accused is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim,” police stated.

Puppy scam

MOUNT FOREST – A local resident has been bilked of almost $2,000 after falling victim to an online puppy purchase scam.

Wellington County OPP officials say police were called about the online fraud on April 6.

“The victim engaged in an online sale through a popular social media platform with unknown suspect(s) posing as dog breeders,” police stated in a press release.

“The victim agreed to purchase a puppy and provided a large sum of money via e-transfer. The suspect(s) subsequently advised that additional funds were required to transport the puppy from a location in northern Ontario. 

“The victim eventually became skeptical of the situation and contacted police. Overall, the victim lost over $1,900.”

The OPP suggests anyone who receives a fraudulent call, text or email should call police and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Defective brakes, plates

MINTO – A Mount Hope driver faces numerous charges after a recent traffic stop, including one for falsifying a licence plate with a permanent marker.

Wellington County OPP officials say police were monitoring traffic on Wellington Road 109 in Minto on April 4 at about 3pm “when a pickup truck was identified via our automated licence plate recognition” system and pulled over.

“The driver had used permanent marker on their licence plates, in the attempt to evade law enforcement and imitating a class designation of their licence plates contrary to their type of vehicle,” police stated in a press release.

“The driver recently was stopped by the Ministry of Transportation ... and the vehicle was deemed to be prohibited to be operated on our roadways due to safety hazards.”

Police say they also seized almost 2,000 unmarked cigarettes from the vehicle.

A 63-year-old from Mount Hope faces six charges, including driving an unsafe vehicle, driving with defective brakes, defacing a licence plate and possession of unmarked cigarettes.

The accused is to appear in Guelph court.

Shoplifting incident

MOUNT FOREST – Police are looking for help to locate a person of interest in a recent shoplifting incident here.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to a theft from Shoppers Drug Mart on Main Street North in Mount Forest on April 7.

Police say that at about 1:30pm that day, “a suspect entered the store, concealed several hundred dollars worth of merchandise inside their bag and left the store without attempting to pay.”

OPP officials say the suspect is a white man, aged 50 to 60, about 5’10” tall with a thin build, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and carrying a Puma backpack.

Partner violence

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.

Those arrested include:

– a 54-year-old  from Centre Wellington, who was charged with assault with a weapon (spousal) in relation to an incident in Centre Wellington on April 6 that sent the victim to hospital with minor injuries; and

– a 37-year-old  from Centre Wellington, who was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm (spousal), uttering threats to injure an animal, breach of recognizance and failing to comply with a release order.

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

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Anyone with information about any of the above incidents 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 cash reward.