Police beat: Snowmobile crash on trail near Hillsburgh

Snowmobile crash

ERIN – On Feb. 19 at about 7:50pm Wellington County OPP responded to a snowmobile crash on a trail near Hillsburgh.

Police say a 32-year-old operator was rounding a curve on the trail when they lost control of their snowmobile and collided with a tree.

OPP officers were assisted at the scene by Guelph-Wellington paramedics and Town of Erin firefighters.

Police say the patient sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Wellington County OPP continue to investigate the incident and anyone with information can contact Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Woman punched, man charged

GUELPH – Police have arrested and charged a Guelph man after a woman was punched in the face and bitten during a suspected road rage incident here on Feb. 19.

Guelph Police say the female victim, who called police at about 4:45pm last Friday, told police she was driving near Stephanie Drive and Rochelle Drive when another vehicle cut her off and forced her to stop.

“The male driver approached her vehicle and punched her in the eye,” police stated in a press release, adding the victim and suspect are not known to each other.

“The female was also bit on the wrist when she tried to grab onto the male to stop the assault. Before leaving the scene the male damaged the female’s vehicle.”

The woman sustained a black eye and was taken to Guelph General Hospital by police to be checked out, police say.

A 19-year-old Guelph man, located at his residence after the victim noted his licence plate, was charged with assault and mischief under $5,000. He is to appear in Guelph court on June 1.

Domestic dispute

MOUNT FOREST – On Feb. 15 at about 7:40am, Wellington County OPP responded to a 911 call for a domestic dispute in progress at a residence on Egremont Street here.

Police say the suspect and female victim were previously in a relationship.

“The victim called police after the suspect broke into her residence through a window causing property damage,” police stated in a press release.

“The suspect was also bound by a court order with a condition not to have contact with the victim.”

A 36-year-old Southgate resident was charged with break and enter, failure to comply with a release order, and failure to comply with an undertaking.

The accused was held for a bail hearing and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Police warn public about Counterfeit phones

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police are warning the public about an active scam involving the sale of counterfeit cell phones.

Wellington County OPP officials say that since Nov. 9, police have investigated three similar fraud occurrences and other police agencies have also received complaints about the same type of scam.

“In this type of fraud, the fraudster uses popular buy and sell websites to advertise new cell phones for sale. The victim believes that they are getting a new cell phone at a discounted price and arranges to meet the ‘seller’ in the parking lot of a gas bar or coffee shop,” police stated.

“In some exchanges, the ‘seller’ will go as far as including a receipt with serial numbers that match the number on the cell phone. The counterfeit phones look authentic and are delivered in a new box wrapped in clear plastic.”

Police say each victim lost between $1,000 and $1,500 on the counterfeit phones.

OPP officials say people should look for the following warning signs:

– warnings posted online;

– no customer phone number or email listed on the website;

– an odd or different name on your credit card statement;

– transaction in different currency;

– product packaging has no labels;

– quality of product is bad; and

– price is hugely discounted.

Scammers are constantly creating fake ads online. To reach potential victims, they use: classified ad sites, resale sites, website pop-ups and fake company websites.

Items offered for sale in these scams can be almost anything, including: event tickets; puppies; electronic equipment; clothing; apartment, cottage or vacation rentals; and motor vehicles

Police say a good rule of thumb is “if the asking price of a product is too good to be true, it is.

“Never send money to strangers. Reduce your risk of victimization.”

Anyone with any information about these frauds can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. Tip providers may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

If you or someone you know suspect they’ve been a victim of fraud, contact local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You can also call Crime Stoppers.