(NORTHUMBERLAND, ON) –Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) dealt with a variety of calls this past week, here are some examples:
Jun 22:
– Police spoke to a separated couple about a dispute over property. Both were advised to seek help from a family court lawyer
– A Cobourg man attended the Cobourg OPP detachment to report a fraud which occurred in Scarborough. The man advised that he had bought a 2002 Honda online and met with a male in a parking lot in Scarborough, gave him $2,300 cash and left with the car. The car apparently had a ‘30 day guarantee’ if the safety repairs cost more than $200. When attempting to safety the car he discovered that extensive repairs were needed and that it was a 2001 car. After a lengthy investigation the officer determined that the seller used a ‘burner’ phone from California and the identity given online was a false name. Police would like to remind the public to be vigilant when buying items online and verify the seller’s identity when a larger purchase is made. For more information visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
– Police attended a Hamilton Twp home to advise next of kin of a death in the family
– A car owner reported the theft of his rear licence plate while parked at the commuter lot at County Rd 45 and Hwy 401. Ont. Lic. # ATJC800
– Report of youths throwing rocks at a home in Campbellford at 10:40pm. Officers patrolled the area but the youths had left. No damage reported.
Jun 23:
– A traffic stop at 12:44am on County Rd 8 in Trent Hills resulted in the arrest of two men for possession of marihuana and cocaine. Charged with Possession of a Schedule I substance – cocaine and Possession of a Schedule II substance – cannabis marihuana over 30g is Zachary CAMPBELL age 19 of Loyalist Twp and Taylor MATTICE age 21 of Belleville. Both men were released and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on July 22, 2015. MATTICE faces a further charge of operating a motor vehicle with no insurance. His car was towed from the scene.
– A Brighton resident reported the theft of a Prowler trolling motor from his boat which was for sale on his front lawn between Jun 14-18, 2015
– A Cramahe Twp resident contacted police after receiving a call from a person identifying themselves as from ‘Canada Revenue Agency’. The male indicated that back taxes ($2,400) were owed and that she would have pay immediately (wire transfer) or she would be arrested and put in jail. The woman called her work to say she would be going to jail and an alert co-worker suggested it might be a scam. She made further inquiries with a lawyer and finally police who confirmed that this was a popular fraud presently being used. No money was lost
– A Colborne resident demanded to speak to a supervisor upset that officers conduct RIDE programs during the day. The supervisor advised him that impaired drivers are on the roads at all times of the day
– A 27 yr old Brighton man text his parents and girlfriend that he had intentions of self-harm. Officers from Leeds County OPP located the man in Eastern Ontario and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment of his mental health issues
Jun 24:
– A resident on Cornish Hollow Rd Hamilton Twp reported the theft of his (and his neighbour’s) mailbox including the post sometime overnight
– A report of erratic driving on County Rd 28 Port Hope resulted in a female driver being transported to hospital suffering from alcohol withdrawal (detoxing), no collisions occurred and no charges resulted
– A Brighton senior called police concerned that there has been a plane circling above his residence and the town over the past few days.
– A Colborne area resident dialed 911 to advise police that her Shitzu dog escaped from her backyard and she hadn’t seen it in an hour
– Police settled a dispute between a separated couple involving construction equipment on vacant land in Trent Hills
– A Port Hope woman contacted police for advice on purchasing a dog out of country. Officers advised her not to wire money to unknown persons until their identity and business are verified
Jun 25:
– At 1:20am an eastbound black Ford F150 was measured traveling 154 km/h. The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested after failing a roadside test. He was taken to the Brighton detachment for further tests. As a result of these tests, Simeon VRANTSIDIS age 33 of Newmarket Ontario is charged with:
1) Operating a motor vehicle while his blood alcohol content exceeded 80mg in 100ml of blood
2) Stunt Driving – Excessive Speed
3) Driving while under suspension
4) Operating a motor vehicle without insurance
He was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on July 15, 2015
– Police received a report of a couple yelling inside a car parked on the Hwy 401 off ramp at Brighton (1:30am). Officers located the couple who were not cooperative with police but admitted to arguing. They were separated for the night and no criminal charges resulted
– An Alnwick-Haldimand Twp farmer contacted police at 3:00am after he shot a raccoon that had gotten into his ‘hen house’ ( in the event of any calls to police)
– Another call received from a fraudster claiming to be from ‘Revenue Canada Agency’ advising back taxes are owed and an arrest is eminent if not payed. The Seymour Twp resident was wise to their tactics, hung up and contacted police
– At 7:45pm officers responded to a family dispute at a Brighton area property. Police arrived and were informed that there was a fight between a son and his stepfather. The son, who had been drinking, had left on an ATV prior to police arrival. While officers were interviewing the family members, the son returned on the ATV holding a can of beer. He was arrested for impaired operation and taken to the Brighton detachment for further tests. As a result of these tests, Timothy MCGRATH age 24 of Brighton is charged with Impaired Operation of a motor vehicle and Operating a motor vehicle while his blood alcohol content exceeded 80mg in 100ml of blood. He was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on July 15, 2015. No other charges resulted from the family dispute as per the wishes of those involved.
Northumberland OPP also conducted five RIDE programs, investigated 12 motor vehicle collisions and 33 traffic related complaints.