Police beat: Numerous charges

GUELPH-ERAMOSA – On Jan. 21 at about 8:30am, a Wellington County OPP officer responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Township Road 3 here. 

Chadwick Bard, 32, of no fixed address, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, driving while suspended, failing to remain at the scene of a collision, dangerous driving, two counts of failing to comply with a release order and three counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

He is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Pet ‘altercation’ leads to assault

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – On Jan. 27 at about 5:15pm, Wellington County OPP officers responded to an assault at the Guelph Lake Sports Fields on Woodlawn Road East here.

“It was reported that one person was assaulted by another person after their pets had been in an altercation,” police stated in a press release.

“The victim declined medical attention and there were no reports of injuries to any animal.”

Four days after the incident, on Jan. 31, police announced Steven James Haefner, 40, of Guelph, was charged with assault. He is to appear in Guelph court at a later date. 

Anyone with information about this incident 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.

Tool smash n’ grab

CENTRE WELLINGTON – On Jan. 22 at about 4:15am, Wellington County OPP responded to a break-in at an equipment retail store on Wellington Road 18 here.

“It was reported that multiple suspects had forced entry to a business and stole an estimated $14,000 in tool products,” police stated.

Police are seeking dashcam footage from anyone in the area at the time.

Anyone with information 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.

Vehicle theft charges

MOUNT FOREST – On Jan. 21 at about 8:30pm, Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on Main Street North here.

Police say officers located the vehicle and charged Chester Lewis, 20, of Mount Forest, with theft of vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and driving without a licence. He is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Anyone with information about this incident 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.

Stolen vehicle

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – On Jan. 21 Wellington County OPP received a report that sometime overnight a black 2021 Jeep Wrangler (Ontario licence plate CPXN 414) was stolen from a residence on Wellington Road 27 here.

Anyone with information about this incident 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.

Another Ram theft

FERGUS – On Jan. 20, Wellington County OPP received a report stating that at about 3am, a red 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Rebel crew cab pickup truck (Ontario licence plate AM40917) was stolen from a parking lot on St. David Street South here.

“Video surveillance shows two unknown persons approaching the vehicle and gaining entry,” police stated in a press release. 

“The pickup truck was last seen heading southbound on Highway 6 at a high rate of speed.” 

The same day, Wellington County OPP received a report of another  theft about 2:45am at a residence on Cherry Hill Place in Fergus. 

Police say it is “too early in the investigation to determine if the two incidents are related,” but they are offering the following tips to protect vehicles:

– park in a garage if able to do so;

– use a steering wheel lock and do not leave the keys in the vehicle;

– use an OBD port lock also referred to as a “port blocker”;

– store key fobs in a Faraday or RFID pouch; and

– cover the VIN on the front dashboard with a removable piece of paper or tape (do not deface the VIN). 

Anyone with information 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.

No insurance

ERIN – Wellington County OPP officials say that as a result of an ongoing investigation, police have charged a driver involved in a Jan. 10 collision on Trafalgar Road here.

A 32-year-old driver from Tottenham was charged with driving without insurance and is to appear in court at a later date.