FERGUS – A local teen is facing robbery charges following an incident in Fergus last week.
Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to “a report of a robbery at knife-point in a parking lot on Tower Street in Fergus,” on Oct. 15 at about 11:30am.
“Three youth victims did not sustain any reported injuries,” police stated in an Oct. 16 press release.
A 14-year-old from Alma, was charged with armed robbery, possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
Asked to provide the court date, OPP spokesperson Carly McKeown refused, citing the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Youth justice legislation protects the identity of young offenders but does not prohibit the release of a court date or reporting on youth matters.
‘Imitation weapon’
PUSLINCH – Puslinch and Kitchener residents have been charged after a routine traffic stop resulted in the discovery of an imitation firearm.
On Oct. 15 at about 9pm Wellington County OPP officers were monitoring traffic on Wellington Road 35 in Puslinch Township when they pulled over a vehicle.
The driver, a 34-year-old from Puslinch, was charged with two counts of driving while suspended and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
The passenger, Avagalos Karageorgos, 54, of Kitchener, was charged with possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose and is to appear in Guelph court on Nov. 18.
Careless driving
GUELPH/ERAMOSA – A Guelph resident has been charged with careless driving in a two-vehicle crash last week.
Emergency crews responded to the scene of a crash between a box truck and SUV on Wellington Road 124, just north of Whitelaw Road in Guelph/Eramosa, on Oct. 16 at about 7:45am.
“No injuries were reported at the scene, but both drivers were assessed medically by EMS as a precaution,” police stated in a press release.
Wellington Road 124 was closed from Whitelaw Road to Fife Road due to “heavy debris and liquid leaking from both motor vehicles,” police added.
A 33-year-old from Guelph was charged with careless driving.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage can call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
More carelessness
CENTRE WELLINGTON – An Acton resident has been charged with careless driving after a two-vehicle crash last week.
Emergency crews were called to a crash between a tractor trailer and SUV at the intersection of Wellington Road 21 and 8th Line, south of Inverhaugh, on Oct. 15 at about 10:45am.
“The driver of the SUV was taken to a local hospital with minor non-life-threatening injuries,” police stated in a press release.
“The driver of the tractor trailer was assessed on scene and did not sustain any reported injuries.”
The driver of the SUV, a 41-year-old from Acton, was charged with careless driving and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
Partner violence
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.
Those arrested include a 54-year-old from Halton Hills, who was charged with dangerous driving, domestic mischief and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm (spousal) in relation to an incident in Erin on Oct. 18.
The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
‘Operation Impact’ traffic campaign results
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police laid 38% fewer speeding charges this year than in 2024 during the “Operation Impact” Thanksgiving long weekend traffic campaign.
The campaign, which ran from Oct. 10 to 13, aims to reduce the number of fatalities, injuries and collisions on roads through enforcement focusing on the main factors in road fatalities in Canada: impaired driving, aggressive driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, distracted driving and driver fatigue.
In Wellington County, police laid:
– 46 speeding charges (down from 74 in 2024);
– five seatbelt charges (down from seven);
– three distracted driving charges (none last year); and
– four impaired driving charges (no change).
Across the OPP’s West Region, 13 detachments made 2,089 traffic stops and laid a total of 1,832 charges, including:
– 919 for speeding (down from 939 last year);
– 75 seatbelt charges (up from 57);
– 47 for distracted driving (up significantly from six);
– 36 for impaired driving (down from 54); and
– 41 for stunt driving/racing (up from 29).
“Operation Impact continues to show the positive results of our officers’ engagement, education and enforcement efforts,” stated Inspector Mike McConnell, OPP West Region traffic safety and marine manager.
“Each interaction over the Thanksgiving weekend was aimed at preventing serious collisions and saving lives. While it’s encouraging to see many motorists making safe choices, the number of distracted and stunt driving charges reminds us there is still work to do.
“Every charge represents a potentially serious collision that was prevented through these proactive enforcement efforts.”
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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.
