Police beat: Mount Forest teen charged with assault, uttering threats

MOUNT FOREST – A local youth is facing assault and threat charges following an incident here last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to an altercation “at an address in Mount Forest” on May 8 at about 8pm.

“The victim attended a local hospital with minor injuries,” police stated in a press release.

A 17-year-old from Mount Forest was charged with assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

The accused, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Stolen vehicle

ERIN – Three people from Erin have been arrested in connection with a recent vehicle theft.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to a “report of a suspected stolen vehicle being located at a residence within Erin” on April 20 at about 6:30pm.

The next day police “executed a search warrant at the address and recovered the stolen vehicle.”

Anmol Dhillon, 26, Jayant Puri, 23, and Anureet Kaur Dhillon, 21, all of Erin, were each charged with possession of the proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

They are to appear in Guelph court on July 14, 24 and 21 respectively.

Drug investigation

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Three residents of the Greater Toronto Area are facing drug charges following an investigation by local police.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers began a drug trafficking investigation in March, that culminated with the execution of three warrants in Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton on May 1.

Police say officers seized over $35,000 worth of suspected cocaine, more than $10,000 in cash and over $4,000 worth of “offence-related property” such as cell phones, scales, vacuum sealer, bags and a money counter.

Shanunque Rowe, 28, of Toronto, Trevon Simpson, 31, of Mississauga, and Jevon Taylor, 28, of Brampton, were each charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime (under $5,000).

Taylor was charged with two counts of each offence.

The accused individuals are to appear in Guelph court on July 24.

Vehicle sale fraud

MINTO – Police are warning area residents after a recent fraud attempt here involving the private sale of a vehicle.

Wellington County OPP officers responded to “an attempted fraud at an address outside of Harriston” on April 30 at about 8:30pm.

“The victim reported that after listing their vehicle for sale on an online marketplace, an individual posing as a buyer expressed their interested in buying the vehicle for the listed price,” police stated in a press release.

“Arrangements were made for the suspect to attend later that day, at which time the victim provided their address. The suspect arrived at the victim’s residence, accompanied by one other individual. Shortly into a test drive, the vehicle began billowing black smoke. Upon inspection they discovered oil covering the engine and inside the tail pipe. 

“The suspect subsequently offered to purchase the vehicle for significantly less than the original asking price, which the victim declined.”

Police say “the victim believes the suspect tampered with the vehicle at some point before the test drive in an attempt to acquire it for a lower price.”

Wellington OPP officials recommend residents never provide their address or personal details to someone they don’t know and “always meet in a local, public and safe place to complete an exchange.”

The OPP has designated “safe trade” parking spaces at detachments in Rockwood, Fergus and Teviotdale. 

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Anyone with information about the above incidents can call the OPP or Crime Stoppers.