PUSLINCH – Police are looking for help to find a stolen handgun and two youths involved in the theft.
On April 8 a Puslinch resident contacted Wellington County OPP to report that at about 2am his son and nephew removed a handgun from a locked safe “and then made arrangements on social media to be picked up by an acquaintance to go and shoot the firearm,” police stated in a press release.
“The acquaintance attended the residence in a motor vehicle, along with two other youths that were unknown to the son and nephew.
“All the youths travelled to a field near the Morriston Car Park near Highway 401 and took turns shooting off approximately 20 rounds of ammunition.”
The group then traveled to Concession 2, just west of Sideroad 20 South, and fired off more rounds, police say.
At one point, one of the youths grabbed the gun from the nephew, ran back to the vehicle and sped off, leaving the son and nephew behind.
“The youth’s returned home and told the complainant what occurred and police were notified,” stated the OPP release.
A 16-year-old boy from Kitchener has been charged with theft under $5,000 and is to appear in Guelph court in July.
The Wellington County OPP Major Crime Unit is asking for the public’s help to identify the two youths and to locate the gun.
The firearm is described as a 9mm Ceska Zbrojovka CZ75 with a red handle and a Canadian flag on the handle.
Anyone with information 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. Tip providers may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.
Suspicious fires
PALMERSTON – Police are asking for help to find the person(s) responsible for setting several suspicious fires near White’s Road Junction Trail here.
“These types of fires are more than just nuisances and a misuse of police and fire resources – they are criminal offences,” states an April 16 press release from the Wellington County OPP.
“Each fire that is intentionally set damages property and potentially could lead to injury or loss of life.”
Police say they are working closely with the Minto fire department to investigate the following suspicious fires:
– April 11, tire fire;
– April 3, bird houses fire;
– March 16, scrap lumber fire at train station;
– March 12, tree fire on walking trail;
– Sept. 20, 2019, garbage fire just off walking trail;
– Sept. 2, 2019, garbage fire, William Street;
– Sept. 2, 2019, tree fire on walking trail;
– July 29, 2019, porta-potty fire at ball diamond;
– July 6, 2019, bridge fire on closed portion of walking trail;
– April 4, 2019, clothing drop box, King Street (LCBO lot);
– March 27, 2019, grass fire on side of walking trail; and
– Jan. 8, 2019, bridge fire on closed portion of walking trail.
Anyone with information or who sees suspicious activity on/around White’s Road Junction Trail in Palmerston 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 online.
Squatters charged
GUELPH-ERAMOSA – On April 13 at about 11:45am Wellington County OPP officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at the Guelph Lake Sports Fields here.
Police say a group of individuals who appeared to be consuming drugs were living in a shack in the woods constructed out of an outhouse.
“The witness also advised that there were numerous bicycle parts laying around and was concerned that the bikes were stolen and dismantled,” police stated in a press release.
Police attended the out building, equipped with a well and woodstove, and found three poeple and suspected drug paraphernalia, included used syringes and empty “dime bags.”
A flick knife was also seized, police say.
Dean Lizzotte, 50, of Guelph, was charged with two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking.
Christopher Ward, 40, of Guelph, was charged with unauthorized possession of a weapon.
Both are to appear in Guelph court on July 31.
A 25-year-old individual from Guelph was cautioned and transported home.
Break-in, drug charges
GUELPH-ERAMOSA – On April 13 at about 1:50pm Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a suspicious person inside a business on Highway 7 near Rockwood.
Police say the complainant located a man in an outbuilding on her property used for the production and sale of maple syrup.
“The complainant further stated that the suspect had altered the interior of the building and that they were also smoking crystal methamphetamine,” police stated in a press release.
“The suspect fled on foot into the bush when confronted by the complainant.”
Officers located the suspect on Indian Trail a short time later.
Gerald Christopher MacKinnon, 46, of Guelph, was charged with break and enter with the intent to commit an indictable offence, failing to comply with a recognizance and possession of methamphetamine.
He is to appear in Guelph court on July 31.
