Wood chipper stolen
MAPLETON – Wellington County OPP officials are investigating the theft of a wood chipper from a business here last month.
Police say that on Dec. 9 at about 8:30pm, three suspects, “using an un-plated, grey [SUV] with an attached utility trailer, stole a wood chipper valued at $4,500.”
“The OPP are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the persons or vehicle involved,” police stated in a Jan. 8 press release.
However, police did not identify the business targeted, nor did they provide an idea of the area in which the theft occurred.
It’s also unclear why it took a month to issue the release, which provides the following descriptions of three suspects:
– Caucasian, kahki pants, black jacket, black boots, black cap, face covered;
– Caucasian, dark pants, black jacket, black boots, black cap, face covered; and
– the driver – Caucasian, black jacket, brown hair.
Anyone with information can call police or CrimeStoppers.
Driver fled scene of crash
GUELPH – A Guelph resident faces several charges, including careless driving, after a hit-and-run collision here a month ago.
Wellington County OPP officials say emergency crews responded to the crash on the Hanlon Expressway on Dec. 6 at about 4pm.
“It was reported that the driver of grey sedan rear-ended a black [SUV] and fled the scene,” police stated in a press release. “The driver of the SUV required medical attention.
A 36-year-old driver from Guelph was charged with careless driving, failing to remain at the scene of a crash, failing to report an accident and driving while suspended.
The defendant is to appear in Guelph court on March 20.
Festive RIDE results
LONDON – “More enforcement, more charges.”
That is how West Region OPP officials are summarizing the overall results of their recent Festive RIDE Campaign.
The campaign ran from Nov. 16 to Jan. 1 and involved officers from 13 detachments talking to the drivers of 13,197 vehicles.
Results included:
– 2,446 “RIDE events,” up 36% from 1,804 last year;
– 353 impaired driving charges (up 27% from 278); and
– 55 warning-range suspensions (up 57% from 35).
In Wellington County, the figures are 96 “RIDE events” (up from 67 in 2022-23), 28 impaired driving charges (up from 23) and four warning-range suspensions (same as in 2022-23).
“West Region OPP will continue efforts to get impaired drivers off the road beyond the holiday season and throughout the year,” stated Inspector Mike McConnell, West Region’s traffic and marine manager.
“Drivers can expect to see RIDE checkpoints in their area at any time. Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of death, injury and property damage on Ontario roadways and it’s entirely preventable.
“If you plan to drink or take drugs, use a designated driver, a taxi or a rideshare service to get home safely.”
Across the province the OPP stopped 42,464 drivers during 11,421 Festive RIDE initiatives, laying 1,472 impaired driving charges and issuing 220 warning-range suspensions
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Anyone with information about any of the above incidents 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.
