Police beat: Fergus resident loses $70,000 in romance scam

FERGUS – Police are warning the public after yet another county resident lost a significant amount of money in a romance scam.

Wellington County OPP officials say they responded to a fraud report in Fergus on Feb. 9. 

“The victim joined an international online dating website in 2024,” police stated in a Feb. 13 press release.

“Since then, they have sent $70,000 to a fraudster, posing as a romantic partner.

“Upon realizing the relationship was fraudulent, the victim contacted the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and [police].”

Delivery driver damaged intercom: police

GUELPH – An Uber Eats driver from Puslinch was arrested for causing thousands of dollars in damage to a downtown condo building last month.

Guelph Polcie officials say  a driver attempted several times to contact a customer using the touch-screen intercom system on Jan. 9 at 7:20pm.

“He had difficulty doing so and punched the screen approximately five times, breaking it and rendering it inoperable,” police stated in a press release.

“The screen cost more than $4,200 to repair.”

Police say the driver was identified and he turned himself in on Feb. 11.

A 53-year-old Puslinch man is charged with mischief under $5,000 and is to appear in Guelph court on March 27.

Partner violence

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

Those arrested include:

– a 54-year-old from Guelph/Eramosa, who was charged with spousal assault in relation to an incident in Guelph/Eramosa on Feb. 3; and

– a 50- and 60-year-old, both from Mount Forest, who were each charged with spousal assault in relation to an incident in Mount Forest on Feb. 7.

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

Snowmobilers charged

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police say officers were busy on local snowmobile trails recently.

Among those charged are:

– an 18-year-old from Waterloo, charged with failing to properly affix a trail permit on Feb. 7, on a trail outside of Ponsonby;

– a 21-year-old from Rockwood, charged with driving without a trial permit on Feb. 8, on a trail outside of Belwood; and

– a 23-year-old from Belwood, charged with driving without a trial permit and driving without  licence.

Petty thefts

FERGUS – Police are asking for help to find those responsible for recent petty thefts in Fergus.

Wellington County OPP officials say one incident occurred on Feb. 2 at about 3:30pm at “a business on Tower Street South in Fergus.”

Police say three suspects entered the store – they did not say which store – “concealed approximately $150 worth of clothing and toys, and left the premises without making any attempts to pay. The suspects departed in a silver minivan.”

The first suspect is described as a 60-year-old brown woman about 5’8” tall with long brown hair and wearing a black coat and blue jeans.

The second and third suspects are described as brown women, about 20 years old and 5’6” tall and wearing long black dresses.

Two other incidents occurred at a business on St. David Street North – again, police did not say exactly where – on Jan. 20 at about 11:15am and on Feb. 9 at about 12pm, involving the same suspect.

“On each date, the suspect entered the store, concealed sport trading cards, and left the premises without making any attempts to pay. The total loss is approximately $250,” police stated.

The suspect is described as a white man, about six feet tall, with an average build and wearing high visibility construction clothing and a black hat.

The suspect vehicle is a white Buick sedan with licence plate CCTX937.

* * *

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.