Police beat: Police want help finding suspect in pickup truck theft
WELLINGTON NORTH – Police are asking for help identifying the suspect(s) who stole a truck in Mount Forest on Oct. 1.
At around 5am, Wellington County OPP officers responded to Princess Street after a call reporting that suspects arrived around 1:30am in a “newer-model black luxury sedan and stole a red 2023 Ford F-250,” according to a police news release.
“The stolen pickup truck and the black sedan were last seen travelling southbound on Main Street South at approximately 2am,” the release adds.
The stolen vehicle is described as a red 2023 Ford F-250, with a licence plate of BX44669.
The truck has a flat cover and chrome towing mirrors.
Anyone with information, surveillance or dashcam footage call the police at 1-888-310-1122 and quote reference #: E261422736.
Offroading nets charge
MAPLETON – The driver of an off-road vehicle has been twice charged and warned after being pulled over on Wellington Road 8 on Oct. 3.
A 23-year-old of Alma was charged with failing to wear a proper helmet and driving without insurance. They were also warned about careless driving and driving without a licence plate, according to a police news release.
Seven charges
CENTRE WELLINGTON – A 33-year-old of Wingham is facing seven charges stemming from a traffic stop in Centre Wellington Township, according to a police news release.
On Oct. 5, at about 5pm, Wellington County OPP officers pulled over a driver on Wellington Road 7.
They were charged with driving without insurance, not having a muffler, having an obstructed windshield, failing to update address, failing to surrender licence, driving without a permit and having unmarked cigarettes.
‘Operation Impact’ results
LONDON – OPP West Region has released results from the “Operation Impact” traffic campaign on the Thanksgiving long weekend.
The campaign, which ran from Oct. 9 to 12, focused on speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, distracted driving, impaired driving and fatigue.
According to a police news release, these four behaviours are the leading causes of death, injury and property damage on roads and highways.
Officers from West Region’s 13 detachments laid a total of 2,152 charges for a variety of infractions – up from 1,832 in 2025 – after pulling over 2,251 drivers during the campaign, police stated in the release.
The charges include:
– speeding: 1,030 (up from 911 in 2025);
– failure to wear a seatbelt: 83 (up from 75);
– distracted driving: 15 (up from 35);
– impaired driving: 41 (up from 36); and
– stunt driving/racing: 36 (up from 41).
“Operation Impact” is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, in support of “Canada’s Road Safety Strategy.”
Provincially, the OPP laid over 9,800 traffic-related charges, including:
– 4,924 for speeding;
– 506 for no seatbelt;
– 174 for impaired driving; and
– 108 for distracted driving.
The OPP encourages motorists to make safety a priority when they get behind the wheel.
Partner violence
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.
Those arrested include:
– a 53-year-old from Mount Forest, who was charged with spousal assault and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in relation to an incident in Mount Forest on Sept. 25;
– 52-year-old from Alma, who was charged with domestic mischief in relation to an incident in Fergus on Sept. 21;
– 25-year-old from Puslinch, who was charged with spousal assault, mischief under $5,000 and breach of recognizance, in relation to an incident in Puslinch on Sept. 18;
– 61-year-old from Palmerston, who was charged with spousal assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm (spousal), and mischief (destroys or damages property), in relation to an incident in Minto on Oct. 10; and
– 41-year-old from Puslinch, who was charged with spousal assault and mischief (destroys or damages property), in relation to an incident in Puslinch on Oct. 12.
The accused individuals are 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.