Police beat: Palmerston man facing drug, impaired charges

GUELPH – On the afternoon of Dec. 3 at about 1:20pm, Guelph Police observed a man and woman sitting in a vehicle parked in a commercial parking lot near the intersection of Silvercreek Parkway North and Speedvale Avenue West.

“They were observed to be smoking illicit substances from a clear pipe,” police stated in a Dec. 4 press release.

“Upon approaching the vehicle, police observed the female in the backseat with two dogs, and the male in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition.”

A 41-year-old Palmerston man was charged with possession of a Schedule I substance, driving while impaired by drugs and failing to comply with a release order. 

He was held for a bail hearing on Dec. 4.

A 29-year-old Guelph woman was charged with possession of a Schedule I substance. She is to appear in Guelph court on Jan. 21.

(Guelph Police do not identify those charged with crimes).

Partner violence

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

Those arrested include:

– a 30-year-old man from Fergus, who was charged with mischief and five counts of assault in relation to an incident in Wellington North on Dec. 6;

– a 17-year-old Fergus girl, charged with assault in relation to an incident in Fergus on Dec. 7; and

  a 35-year-old man from Elora, charged with assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats, in relation to an incident in Elora on Dec. 7.

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

Careless driving

MINTO –  Police have charged a Brampton resident with careless driving following an incident here last week.

On Dec. 4 at about  1:15pm, Wellington County OPP officers stopped a “suspicious” vehicle  on Wellington Road 6 in Minto.

A 27-year-old from Brampton was charged with speeding and careless driving. 

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

Holiday shopping safety tips 

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police are reminding residents to stay vigilant while shopping and preparing for the holiday season.

“With increased foot traffic and online shopping, the holidays can be a prime time for criminals,” states a Dec. 6 press release from the Wellington County OPP.

Police are offering a number of tips “to help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable season.”

They say in-store shoppers should:

– stay aware of their surroundings and be alert to any suspicious behaviour;

– keep valuables out of sight (don’t leave bags or personal items unattended in shopping carts or a vehicle) and always keep purses/ wallets “close and secured;”

– park in well-lit areas, especially if shopping after dark, and avoid parking near bushes or isolated spots;

– always lock vehicles, even if just stepping away briefly.

OPP officials say online shoppers should:

– stick to well-known and reputable websites and always ensure the website has a secure checkout process (look for “https” in the URL);

– avoid public wifi for transactions (use a secured connection or a private network);

– monitor packages’ delivery status and if not home, consider having them delivered to a workplace or secure location; and

– protect  online accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication when possible.

When it comes to general safety, police are encouraging residents to:

– be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts offering “too good to be true” deals or requests for donations (always verify the authenticity of such offers);

– keep family or friends informed of your whereabouts, especially if shopping late in the evening or visiting less familiar areas; and

– report suspicious activity to the police (it could help prevent a crime).

“By staying aware and taking a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime,” police stated in the press release.

To report an incident or suspicious activity call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Guelph Wellington Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.