OPP Report – July 4
Chunks of Cocaine Taken off the Streets of Penetanguishene by OPP
By OPP
June 28, 2024 – PENETANGUISHENE, ON – A traffic stop by police of a pick up truck in Penetanguishene overnight has resulted in the seizure of several chunks of cocaine destined for area distribution.
Two members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) attached to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment conducted a vehicle stop of a Dodge Ram pick up with four occupants on Main Street at approximately 9:10 p.m. June 27, 2024 resulting in the officers entering into a Liquor Licence and Control Act investigation. During the course of this investigation, several large chunks of a substance appearing to be that of suspected cocaine along with drug related paraphernalia were located and seized along with open liquor found within the pick up. The street value of the seized cocaine is believed to be in excess of $7000.
As a result of this investigation the following area residents 1-4 have been charged with the following offences.
Penetanguishene resident Thomas STOLL 22 years of age has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act
- Having liquor in open container in unauthorized place contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act
Hillsdale resident Dylan CASTON 20 years of age has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act
- Driving while under suspension – contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
- Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor – contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act
- Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available – contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act
Tiny Township resident Abigail GAILBRAITH 20 years of age has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
Midland resident Darren ELLERY 31 years of age has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act
- Obstruct Peace Officer – contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
- Consuming liquor in unauthorized place – contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act
The accused persons #’s 1-3 were released from custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on August 8, 2024. Accused person # 4 was held in custody to appear before a bail hearing and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date.
Educating the public about safe driving, boating and ORV practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired operator on our roadways, waterways or trails please “Make the Call” and dial 911 as impaired driving never ends well, please make a plan to get home safely.
FRAUDSTERS IMPERSONATING THE CANADIAN ANTI-FRAUD CENTRE
(July 2, 2024 – OTTAWA, ON) – The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are warning Canadians about the increasing threat of fraudsters impersonating the CAFC and police services. Sometimes, fraudsters are claiming to assist the CAFC with an ongoing investigation using their letterhead and logo as part of the fraud or in other cases, they spoof police phone numbers. The three most common impersonation scams to look out for include:
Bank investigator
The fraudster claims to be from the bank, a major credit card provider or, in some cases, from businesses such as Amazon. They say there are unauthorized charges on your account or that your account is compromised. At times, the fraudster demands that you provide your credit card information and that you send money for reimbursement fees or as bait money to help catch a bad employee.
In order to convince the victim that it’s a legitimate investigation, fraudsters send a fraudulent letter via email which may include the CAFC’s logo. The letter will advise that the CAFC is investigating and that you, the victim, must cooperate in order to “catch” the suspect. Fraudulent contact information (phone number and email address) is provided so that you communicate with them.
Tech support
The fraudster claims a virus infected your computer. Fraudsters state that your computer is sending out viruses or has been hacked and must be serviced. They request access to your computer and may run programs or alter settings. Fraudsters will claim that they have found fraudulent activity on your computer and an investigation is required. Victims are contacted by:
- Alarming website pop-ups that demand you call a number urgently
- Unsolicited telephone calls (they may claim to be a Microsoft or other well-known computer company employee)
Fraudsters send a fraudulent letter via email which may include the CAFC’s logo. The letter will advise that the CAFC is investigating and that you, the victim, must cooperate in order to “catch” the suspect. Fraudulent contact information (phone number and email address) is provided for you to communicate with them.
Recovery pitch
If you have been a victim of a fraud, you may be targeted again with a promise to get your money back. Fraudsters will claim to be from a government agency or law enforcement and ask for your help with a “sting” operation to take down scammers who stole your money.
To convince you that these are legitimate investigations, or that they have found fraudulent activity on your computer, fraudsters send a letter by email which may include the CAFC’s logo. The letter will advise that the CAFC is investigating and that you must cooperate to “catch” the suspect. They will provide fraudulent contact information (phone number and email address) for you to communicate with them. They will claim that a payment is required to assist with the investigation and will promise to return the funds, but they never will.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of the or any fraud is urged to contact their local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. You can also report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. For resources on scams and fraud, visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
OPP Investigating Assault with Weapon Incident over the Weekend at Midland Business
(June 25, 2024 – MIDLAND,ON)- Investigators from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment are investigating an alleged assault with a weapon incident after the OPP Communication Centre received a complaint of an injured person at a Midland Avenue, Midland business that occurred on June 22, 2024 at approximately 1:36 p.m. after an altercation between two males on the property.
Officers and Simcoe County Paramedic Services arrived at the scene at approximately 1 :38 p.m. with paramedics triaging the 40 year old male victim at the scene followed by transporting to an area hospital. The injured male was treated and released for minor injuries’ consistent to that caused by an edged weapon.
Investigation is ongoing and investigators advise that this incident was targeted and at this time there is no threat to public safety.
Investigators are asking that if a community member has information about this crime or dashcam video, to please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit your anonymous information online at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka www.crimestopperssdm.com
HURONIA WEST OPP ARREST TWO INDIVIDUALS WITHIN ONE HOUR FOR IMPAIRED OPERATION
(June 27, 2024 – TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH, ON) – Last evening, Officer’s of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged two individuals with impaired operation within one hour between 7:00-8:00 p.m.
On June 26, 2024, shortly after 7:00 p.m., Huronia West OPP responded to a traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver on Yonge Street South in Elmvale, Springwater Township. The vehicle was later located, and a traffic stop was initiated on County Road 27, and after investigation, grounds were formed that the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol and was subsequently arrested.
Nikita NELSON, 34, of Barrie, was arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
The accused is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Collingwood on July 23, 2024, to answer to the charge.
Roughly an hour later, just after 8:00 p.m., the Huronia West OPP were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E) check on Concession 10, Nottawasaga, in Clearview Township, when a vehicle entered the check point, and after investigation, the officer formed grounds that the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol and was subsequently arrested.
Trevor LAWSON, 25, of Collingwood, was arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
The accused is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Collingwood on July 28, 2024, to answer to the charge.
OPP SEEKING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING AN ARMED ROBBERY
(June 26, 2024 – WASAGA BEACH, ON) – Members of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are requesting the public’s assistance regarding an armed robbery that occurred at a local gas station.
On June 26, 2024, Huronia West OPP responded to the report of a robbery at the Petro Canada Gas station in the Town of Wasaga Beach. At approximately 2:20 am the suspect entered the Petro Canada armed with a knife and made a demand for cash, cigarettes, and vapes.
The suspect was described as having a medium build, with a cloth mask over their face wearing all black clothing.
On June 20, 2024, the same Petro Canada store was robbed with a similar MO by a suspect matching the description of this incident.
The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding this incident, including surveillance or dash cam footage, please contact the Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
If you’d like to submit information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit information online at www.p3tips.com.
NOTTAWASAGA OPP IS INVESTIGATING POLICE IMPERSONATION INCIDENT
(June 25, 2024 – NEW TECUMSETH, ON) – Members from the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), are actively investigating an incident in which someone impersonated a police officer.
Between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. on June 22, 2024, an individual was driving on the 15th Sideroad between 12th Line and 13th Line in New Tecumseth. This individual reported that he was pulled over by two males who identified themselves as police officers. The victim was uncomfortable with the interaction and reported the incident to police.
The suspects are described as:
– 5’10, stocky build, with red hair, and
– 6’4, short spiky black hair, goatee, and a scar under his left eye.
Both were seen wearing a blue vest with “POLICE” on the front and back, name tags with a Canadian flag and an “OPP” crest above the word police. They had a radio, handcuffs, and a holster. Dark long sleeve shirts and pants with a yellow stripe were also observed.
The suspect vehicles are described as a dark-coloured Ford Taurus equipped with red and blue lights on the grill and interior visors and a push bar. The second vehicle is a Silver Chevrolet Tahoe, described as also having flashing interior lights.
Note: Citizens may ask to see an officer’s badge and warrant card. Some officers and off-duty officers may not be wearing uniforms, but they will be able to provide you with the name of their service, detachment, badge number, rank, and produce a badge and warrant card without delay.
Those who suspect they have been pulled over or confronted by a police impersonator should lock their doors and immediately call 911. Do not get out of your vehicle. If possible, try to write down a description of the person, their vehicle, and their license plate as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have any information about this incident or have video/dash cam footage, please contact Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 434-1939.
