(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH SOUTH, ON) – On Tuesday May 17, 2016, shortly before midnight, Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were dispatched to a rural property on Line 16 North of St.Marys, where a homeowner heard his All-Terrain Vehicle being driven away.
Officers attended at the victim’s rural farmhouse and ascertained that the ATV had been parked behind the residence with the keys left in the ignition. The owner observed the ATV being driven away on Line 16 and lost sight of it as it turned North on Perth Road 130. Perth County OPP officers made extensive patrols in the St. Pauls area and the location where the ATV was last observed.
Shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday May 18th, a homeowner residing South of St.Pauls was awakened when a female on an ATV came onto his property and asked for directions to Stratford. The homeowner became suspicious and followed the ATV to St.Pauls, where he lost sight of it near the Community Centre. He reported this to the OPP who immediately alerted the Stratford Police Service.
Stratford Police officers assisted in the search for the ATV, and located it near the intersection of O’Loane Ave, and Lorne Ave. The 39-year-old female operator was arrested and charged by Stratford Police for “being in possession of property obtained by crime”, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
The ATV has been returned to the owner.
This incident re-iterates the importance of locking vehicles, placing them in secure locations, and removing the keys. It also shows how important it is to immediately report suspicious people or activity in your neighbourhood to police.
The Perth County OPP is requesting anyone with information about criminal activities to contact them at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000