Police beat: Palmerston senior charged with possession of meth
MOUNT FOREST – A Palmerston senior faces several charges, including possession of meth, following a traffic stop earlier this week.
Wellington County OPP officials say officers were monitoring traffic on Egremont Street North in Mount Forest on Feb. 1 at about 7:45pm when they noticed “a vehicle displaying concerning driving behaviour.”
Officers seized “suspected methamphetamine, cash and indicia related to drug trafficking,” police stated in a Feb. 2 press release.
Erik Friedel, 71, from Palmerston, is charged with driving while suspended, driving without insurance and possession of a Schedule I substance (methamphetamine) for the purpose of trafficking.
He is to appear in Guelph court on April 21.
Police looking for break-in suspects
FERGUS – Local police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the people responsible for a recent break-in.
On Jan. 19 at about 5:45pm, Wellington County OPP officer responded to an active break-in at a residence on Flannery Drive in Fergus.
“Within minutes, police arrived on scene to find evidence of forced entry through the rear of the residence,” police stated in a Jan. 27 press release.
“The suspects left the residence prior to police arrival. The occupants of the home are safe and uninjured. It is reported that nothing was taken from the residence.”
Police describe the two suspects as brown males wearing dark clothing and possibly operating a white delivery-style van.
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 csgw.tips.
Police say man tried to bribe officers
PUSLINCH – A local man has been charged after police say someone refused to provide a breath sample and then attempted to bribe the officer.
On Jan. 27 at about 6:45pm, Wellington County OPP officers responded to a vehicle in a ditch on Brock Road in Puslinch Township.
“Officers suspected the driver to be impaired,” police stated in a press release. “The driver refused to comply with a demand for a breath sample ... and subsequently attempted to bribe an officer.”
A 65-year-old Puslinch man was charged with bribery of officers and failure or refusal to comply with a demand for a breath sample.
He is to appear in Guelph court on April 21.
‘Person in crisis’ charged
ELMIRA – An individual has been arrested following an incident involving local police in Elmira.
On Jan. 28 at about 12:15pm, Wellington County OPP officers, alongside the West Region officers, responded to “a person in crisis” in Elmira.
A 50-year-old from Elmira was charged with pointing a firearm, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and assaulting a peace office.
“The officer sustained minor injuries,” police stated in a press release.
The accused remains in police custody pending a bail hearing and their name “is being withheld out of concern for their well-being,” police added.
Business fraud
GUELPH/ERAMOSA – “It is essential for local businesses to educate themselves about fraud and remain alert.”
That is the message from Wellington County OPP officials after police responded to a fraud call at a Guelph/Eramosa business on Jan. 28.
“The complainant reported that an unknown individual compromised their company email account,” police stated in a press release.
“The suspect sent a mass email to the company’s client list, falsely advising that the company’s email address had changed to a fraudulent one controlled by the suspect. Clients were then instructed to submit payments via e-transfer to the fraudulent email address.”
Police say at least two clients made payments to the fraudulent email address before the company became aware of the scam.
Police have issued the following tips to protect businesses:
– fraudsters will use company logos or names similar to those of known businesses to make their invoices and communications seem real;
– fraudsters may send fraudulent invoices posing as trusted vendors so inspect invoices carefully before making any payments;
– educate yourself, your employees and your co-workers to be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails or text messages;
– take steps to ensure social media accounts can be verified as legitimate;
– maintain a list of frequently used vendors and service providers;
– limit the number of staff who can approve purchases and pay bills; and
– clearly define procedures for verification, payment and management of accounts and invoices.
If you are the victim of fraud, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visiting antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
Woman charged after altercation
MOUNT FOREST – An individual has been charged following an incident in Mount Forest.
On Jan. 31 at about 3pm, Wellington County OPP officers responded to “an altercation” at an address in Mount Forest, police say.
As a result of the investigation, Rebecca Balm, 34, of Mount Forest, was charged with uttering threats (to cause death or bodily harm) and failing to comply with an undertaking.
While in police custody, she was further charged with attempting to obstruct justice and mischief (destroying or damaging property).
The accused was held in police custody for a bail hearing and later released.
Partner violence
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.
Those arrested include a 41-year-old from Erin, who was charged with assault (spousal) and mischief (destroys or damages property) in relation to an incident in Erin on Jan. 29.
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 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.
