Guelph Police Daily Update 16Dec2024

Two stores entered, cigarettes stolen

The Guelph Police Service is investigating two convenience store break-ins early Sunday during which large quantities of cigarettes were stolen and significant damage was done. It is not known if they are related.

Approximately 2 a.m. police were called to a business near Arkell Road and Victoria Road South. An employee had responded to an alarm call to find the front window smashed and drawers on the sidewalk outside. Surveillance video showed three males arriving in a white Jeep SUV. One had a sledgehammer or similar object which was used to smash the front window. The cigarette cabinet was broken into and the drawers removed so their contents could be emptied into the Jeep.

The suspects were also able to break into an ATM and remove and unknown quantity of cash.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Michael Doehn at 519-824-1212, ext. 7587, email [email protected], leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.

Just after 9 a.m. Sunday police were called to a business near Fife Road and Elmira Road South after an employee arrived to discover a break-in. Investigation revealed the store was entered shortly after 1 a.m. The front door was pried open and a padlock cut off an internal security gate.

Several shelves of cigarettes were cleaned out and suspects also caused significant damage to a counter to access the store’s safe.

It is not known if the two incidents are related. Anyone with information about the second one is asked to call Constable Carson Skipper at 519-824-1212, ext. 7283, email [email protected] or contact Crime Stoppers.

Robbery arrests after truck entered

Two people face robbery charges after a moving truck was broken into Friday evening.

Approximately 7:35 p.m. a male was walking towards his rented U-Haul truck in the parking lot of Stone Road Mall when he saw a man standing near the back of the truck holding a metal rod and also heard a female’s voice. When the victim called police, the suspect raised the rod over his head and chased the victim approximately 30 yards through the parking lot.

The suspect then returned to the truck and was seen leaving the area with a woman. The victim inspected the truck and discovered a laptop bag missing. Officers located the suspects walking near Stone Road and Hanlon Expressway and arrested them. The stolen property was recovered after being thrown into a wooded area.

A 46-year-old Guelph man and 36-year-old Guelph woman are each charged with robbery, while the male is also charged with resisting arrest. Both were held for bail hearings and have been released with upcoming court dates.

Former employer defrauded of more than $100k

A Cambridge man has been arrested after a Guelph company was defrauded of more than $100,000.

The man was head of the company’s IT department before being terminated in 2022 due to performance issues. In late 2021, while he was on an extended leave of absence, the man refused to provide passwords required by the company to access records. Eventually passwords were deleted from the system, requiring the employer to hire an external IT company to restore their systems.

Investigation revealed during 2018 and 2019, the man received several payments from the company after claiming he had purchased computer systems and equipment out of his own pocket when these items had never actually been ordered. The total loss to the company was $108,000.

On Friday a 38-year-old Cambridge man was arrested. He is charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000, two counts of fraud under $5,000 and mischief to data. He will appear in court January 28.

Uber driver flees RIDE check

An Uber Eats driver faces dangerous driving and other charges after fleeing a RIDE spot check Saturday night.

Approximately 9:25 p.m. the male’s car was stopped for a sobriety check at Wellington Street and Gordon Street. An officer directed the male to pull over into a nearby parking lot after he spotted an open can of beer in the cupholder.

The driver took off at a high rate of speed, squealing his tires as he swerved around other vehicles in the RIDE check and fled southbound on Gordon Street. An officer attempted to pull him over but the driver continued at a high rate of speed. He was located in the parking lot of his residence a short time later and arrested.

A 42-year-old Guelph man is charged with dangerous driving, flight from police and driving with open alcohol. He will appear in court January 28.

Police are also investigating after another motorist fled a second RIDE check later Saturday. Approximately 11:40 p.m. officers were conducting spot checks on Victoria Road South near Arkell Road. The driver of a white pick-up made a U-turn before the spot check and fled. An officer briefly pursued the truck but called it off in the interest of public safety. The investigation is ongoing.

Impaired driving arrest

A Mississauga man faces impaired driving charges after a traffic stop in Guelph Saturday night.

Just before midnight, an officer observed a vehicle being driven erratically near York Road and Victoria Road South and conducted a traffic stop. The driver had a strong odour of alcohol on his breath and was unsteady on his feet.

After failing a roadside breath test the man was arrested and transported to the police station, where further tests revealed he had nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

A 28-year-old Mississauga man is charged with impaired driving. His licence was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. He will appear in court January 3.

The Guelph Police Service would like to encourage the public to always consume alcohol and cannabis responsibly. Please don’t drive if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, and please ensure that you plan ahead so that you have a safe ride home. Anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver is asked to immediately call 911.

Total calls for service in the last 72 hours – 621

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