Welland man faces weapon, driving charges after vehicle stolen

FERGUS – A Welland man is facing several weapon charges following a stolen vehicle call here recently.

On Dec. 21, Wellington County OPP officers responded to a vehicle theft at a house on Old Orangeville Road in Fergus. 

Police say a white pickup truck had been stolen sometime overnight.

On Dec. 24, the OPP located the truck in West Garafraxa. 

Michael James Uzalac, 36, of Welland, was charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000), unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of a weapon, occupying a vehicle knowing it contained a firearm, driving while suspended, using unauthorized plates, defacing a licence plate, altering a plate, and driving with an improperly secured load. 

He is to appear in Guelph court on Feb. 16.

Anyone with information regarding this person 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 online at www.csgw.tips.