ELORA – A Stratford man has been charged with assault following an incident at the arena here last week.
Wellington County OPP officials say police were called for “a disturbance” at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre on Dec. 13 at about 11pm.
“Police, alongside other emergency services were dispatched and attended the scene,” police stated in a press release.
James Petrie, 54, of Stratford, was arrested and charged with assault.
He is scheduled to appear in Guelph court on Jan. 17.
Auto theft
PALMERSTON – A North Perth man was charged with vehicle theft last weekend.
Wellington County OPP officials say officers on patrol in Palmerston received a report of a stolen vehicle on Dec. 15 at about 12am.
Shortly thereafter, they located the suspect and vehicle, police say.
Dustin Richardson, 34, of North Perth, was charged with vehicle theft, failing to comply with a release order and failing to comply with a probation order.
He was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Partner violence
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.
Those arrested include:
– a 46-year-old man from Wellington North, who was charged with two counts of spousal assault in relation to an incident in Wellington North on Dec. 12;
– a 41-year-old Wellington North resident, charged with spousal assault and mischief (destroy/damage property) in relation to an incident in Wellington North on Dec. 13; and
– a 48-year-old Hillsburgh resident, charged with spousal assault in relation to an incident in Erin on Dec. 16.
The accused individuals are to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
Impaired driving charges up slightly
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police have laid a few more impaired driving charges during this year’s Festive RIDE Campaign than they did at the same point in last year’s campaign.
In the first 21 days of the campaign – Nov. 20 to Dec. 11 – Wellington County OPP conducted 52 RIDE check “events,” resulting in 17 impaired driving charges and zero warning range suspensions.
Over the same period last year, police laid 14 impaired driving charges and issued two warning range suspensions (police did not provide the number of Wellington OPP events for 2023).
“The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education,” states a Dec. 12 press release from the West Region OPP.
“If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.”
Across the West Region, which includes 13 detachments, OPP officers have conducted 883 RIDE check events, resulting in 148 impaired driving charges and 10 warning range suspensions.
This compares to 140 impaired driving charges and 21 warning range suspensions after 1,033 RIDE check events over the first 21 days of the 2023 campaign.
In terms of the number of RIDE check events per detachment, the Wellington County OPP ranks 11th (tied) in the West Region. Only the Brant (47 events) and Haldimand (49) detachments have conducted fewer events. Other detachment totals range between 54 and 113.
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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.
