CENTRE WELLINGTON – The search for a male suspect around Belwood Lake on Thursday was not successful but police arrested the man later that night at a nearby property.
Wellington County OPP officials say police responded to a report about a “suspicious vehicle” at the entrance of the Belwood Lake Conservation Area at about 8am on April 13.
“When members of the Grand River Conservation Authority approached the vehicle, the driver exited the vehicle and entered a wooded area,” police stated in a press release.
“It was later determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.”
Local police, with the assistance of the OPP’s Emergency Response Team and canine and aviation units, searched for the suspect for several hours.
Asked for an update on Thursday afternoon, OPP spokesperson Jacob Unger told the Advertiser the suspect had not been located and that police had “cleared the area.”
“However, there is not believed to be any threat to public safety,” Unger stated, noting the stolen vehicle was recovered.
In an update on Friday morning, police said officers had arrested a suspect at about 11:30pm on Thursday night.
The man was located near a home on the 4th Line after he allegedly stole items from a clothesline, police added.
“Investigation determined it to be the same suspect from the stolen vehicle investigation earlier that day,” stated the OPP press release.
Bernard William Ingraham, 31, of Toronto, was charged with possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000), trespassing at night, theft (under $5,000) and failing to comply with a probation order.
He was held for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Tip providers may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.
