Police beat: Arthur man charged in recent prowling incident

WELLINGTON NORTH –  An Arthur man has been charged after several residents reported a prowler here last weekend.

Wellington County OPP officials say they responded to Wellington Road 109 near 1st Line, just outside Arthur, on Feb. 7 at about  9:30pm. 

“It was reported that a person had been wandering onto several properties and acting in a suspicious manner,” police stated in a Feb. 10 press release.

“Police responded and arrested a suspect in the area.”

Lloyd Nelson Ramey, 61, of Arthur, was charged with trespassing at night and obstructing police. He is to appear in Guelph court on March 14.

Anyone with information about this incident 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 at csgw.tips.

Assault charges

CENTRE WELLINGTON – An Elora man faces forcible confinement and assault charges in connection with an incident here last month.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to “a disturbance at an address within Centre Wellington” on Jan. 24 at about 1pm.

As a result of the investigation, on Feb. 3 a 40-year-old Elora resident was charged with assault, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, uttering threats (to cause death or bodily harm) and assault causing bodily harm (choke, suffocate or strangle).

The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

“The OPP will not release names to protect the identity of the victim(s),” police stated in a press release. 

Anyone with information about this incident 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 at csgw.tips.

Vehicles stolen

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Police are looking for help to identify those responsible for stealing three vehicles from a business here last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say that sometime between 2:30 and 4am on Feb. 7, suspects arrived at a vehicle dealership on Whitelaw Road near Wellington Road 124 in Guelph/Eramosa.

“The suspects then proceeded to break through a locked gate and steal three vehicles,” police stated in a Feb. 7 press release.

The stolen vehicles are a grey 2022 Toyota Tacoma hybrid, blue 2023 Toyota Tacoma and black 2023 Toyota Tacoma.

Anyone with information about this incident 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 at csgw.tips.

Sixty-seven charges in theft investigation

CHATSWORTH – A Grand Valley man is facing 67 charges related to an investigation involving vehicle thefts.  

Grey Bruce OPP officials say that on Jan. 15 officers identified a property on Sideroad 5 in Chatsworth Township that contained a significant number of stolen commercial vehicles.

Police executed a search warrant at the site and recovered four tractor-trailer trucks, 63 trailers and 10 passenger vehicles in various stages of disassembly. 

“The investigation into the status of the recovered vehicles remains ongoing,” police stated. “The total value of the recovered property at this time is estimated at over $2.6 million”.

Amardeep Bhaati, 41, of Grand Valley, was charged with eight counts of fraudulent concealment, eight counts of altering/destroying/removing a vehicle identification number and 51 counts of possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000).

He is to appear in Owen Sound court on Feb. 27.

Partner violence

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.

Those arrested include:

– a 50-year-old man from Fergus, who was charged with two counts of spousal assault in relation to an incident in Fergus on Feb. 3;

– a 43-year-old man from Wellington North, who was charged with assault in relation to an incident in Wellington North on Feb. 6;

– a 46-year-old Erin resident, who was charged with   spousal assault, dangerous driving, criminal harassment (repeatedly communicate), uttering threats (to cause death or bodily harm – spousal) and two counts of assault causing bodily harm (choke, suffocate or strangle) in relation to an incident in Erin on Feb. 8; and

– a 38-year-old Cambridge resident, who was charged with assault in relation to an incident in Puslinch Township on Feb. 8.

The accused individuals are to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Snowmobile charges

FERGUS – Police have charged a local resident  with several snowmobile-related charges.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers conducted a traffic stop on Sideroad 19 in Fergus on Jan. 31 at about 3pm.

A 29-year-old Fergus resident was charged with careless driving, driving without  insurance, driving without a licence and driving without a permit.

The accused is scheduled to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Snowmobile safety

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police are encouraging snowmobile riders to drive safely, noting they are taking part in a province-wide traffic safety initiative, focusing on snowmobiles from Feb. 10 to 17.

“With the winter season upon us, the Wellington County OPP Traffic Unit will be proactively patrolling the snowmobile trails in an effort to increase safety of those snowmobiling,” police stated in a Feb. 10 press release.

Police are “reminding residents of the following tips to ensure safety is at the forefront while out on the trails.” They say snowmobile drivers should: 

– drive sober;

– check fuel levels before heading out;

– obey speed limits and municipal bylaws;

– be especially vigilant coming into corners or cresting hills;

– bring a fully charged cell phone in case of an emergency; and

– seek permission from property owners before venturing onto private fields.

Conversely, police say snowmobile drivers should not:

– ride on railway tracks

– leave children unsupervised with youth snowmobiles;

– leave young children unattended in snowmobile sleds; and

– go snowmobiling with an infant (infants cannot endure the cold).

Police say the top three causes of fatal snowmobile collisions are speeding, impaired driving and carelessness.

“Stay alert, plan ahead and keep safety the top priority when heading out on the trails,” police stated.

For more information visit ofsc.on.ca.