Police beat: Luring, possessing child pornography

GUELPH – A Toronto man arrested for several counts of luring a child is now also charged with possessing child sexual abuse material.

Guelph Police officials say a detective conducted a proactive, online investigation posing as a 13-year-old girl between mid-November and late January. 

“The officer was repeatedly contacted by an unknown male. The male sent sexually explicit messages attempting to meet the 13-year-old for a sexual purpose,” police stated in a March 23 press release.

“During the investigation, the Guelph officer learned that two other police services were conducting similar investigations and communicating with the same male.”

On Feb. 13, a 65-year-old Toronto man was arrested on 10 counts of luring a child under 16. Police say that after a search of a cell phone the man was also charged with possessing child sexual abuse material. 

He is to appear in court on May 5.

Break-in, theft

ERIN – Police are investigating a break-in and theft here last week.

Wellington County OPP officers were called to a house on Sideroad 9 on March 18 at about 4:20pm.

Police say someone broke into the home through a garage door about two hours earlier and “stole approximately $22,000 worth of jewelry, tools and cash.”

Police are looking to identify suspects and describe a suspect vehicle as a 2004 beige GMC Sierra pick-up truck bearing Ontario licence plate CC61496. 

Anyone with information can call police or Crime Stoppers.

Repeat booze thefts

FERGUS  – Police have arrested someone they call a “repeat offender” in connection with several thefts from the Fergus LCBO.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to a theft at the Parkside Drive store in Fergus on March 18 at about 3:45pm.

Police say the suspect was “still present and attempting to flee,” but officers “quickly ... placed them under arrest.”

Andrew Phillips, 38, of Markham, was charged with five counts of theft under $5,000 and is to appear in Guelph court on June 12.

Car downs pole, live wires

GUELPH/ERAMOSA –  The intersection of Stone Road East and Jones Baseline was closed for most of the day last Friday after a vehicle downed a hydro pole.

Emergency crews responded to the scene on March 20 at about 6:30am.

“On arrival, a single vehicle was located with a hydro pole located on top of it, with live hydro wires exposed on the roadway,” stated a press release from the Wellington County OPP.

“The driver was able to escape the vehicle and was treated by [paramedics] as a precaution.”

Booze bandits

ARTHUR – Police are asking for help to identify two suspects in a recent shoplifting incident in Arthur.

Wellington County OPP officials say they were called on March 16 about an incident on Feb. 27 at about 7:30pm.

“Two unidentified suspects entered a local business on Wellington Road 109 ... concealing approximately $500 worth of alcoholic beverages, and left the premises without making any attempts to pay and fled in an unknown direction,” police stated in a press release.

Police say one suspect is a heavy set white man aged 45 to 55, 5’7” to 5’8” tall with short dark greying hair and shaved sides. He was wearing a black Nike hoodie with a blue vest overtop, blue jeans and brown shoes with white soles.

The other is described as a while man with a medium build, aged 45 to 55, and wearing a black winter coat, dark-coloured zip-up sweater with a white T-shirt underneath, black toque, blue jeans and possibly grey shoes.

“No suspect vehicle information (is available) at this time,” police stated.

Teen facing charges

FERGUS – A local teenager is charged with theft and assault after an incident at a Fergus business last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say police were called to “a theft in progress” at a business on St. David Street North in Fergus on March 21 at about 5pm.

“No injuries were reported,” police stated.

A 14-year-old from Haldimand County was charged with assault and theft under $5,000 and is to appear in Guelph court at a later dates.

Partner violence

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

Those arrested include:

– a 48-year-old from Puslinch, who was charged with spousal assault and obstructing a peace officer, in relation to an incident in Puslinch on March 16.

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

Distracted driving

FERGUS – A Cambridge driver is accused of driving while distracted and without a seatbelt following a recent traffic stop.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers were monitoring traffic in Fergus when they conducted a traffic stop on Beatty Line South on March 14 at about 12pm.

A 29-year-old from Cambridge was charged with driving with a handheld communication device, disobeying a stop sign and failing to properly wear a seatbelt.

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

Driving charges

ERIN – An East Garafraxa resident faces numerous charges after a traffic stop here last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers pulled over a vehicle while monitoring traffic on Trafalgar Road in the Town of Erin on March 17 at about 8:45am.

A 26-year-old from East Garafraxa faces six charges, including  driving without insurance, driving with a defective braking system and failing to surrender a licence.

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

Careless driving (with cannabis)

PUSLINCH – Three charges were laid against a Brampton driver following a recent crash.

Emergency crews were called to a single-vehicle collision on Wellington Road 34 in Puslinch Township on March 19 at about 3pm.

“The driver was treated with minor, non-life-threatening injuries at the scene by [paramedics],” police stated in a press release.

A 20-year-old from Brampton was charged with driving with cannabis readily available, careless driving and being an  unaccompanied G1 driver.

The accused is 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 csgw.tips. Tip providers may be eligible for a cash reward.