(WELLINGTON COUNTY, ON) – The Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive R.I.D.E. campaign continued this weekend and resulted in several arrests for alcohol related Criminal Code Offences.
On December 6, 2014 at approximately 2:16 a.m. a 2002 Chevrolet pick-up truck entered a R.I.D.E. program on Highway 6 southbound just north of College Avenue in the City of Guelph. Officers suspected the male driver had been drinking alcohol and a Roadside Screening Device was administered which resulted in a fail. The driver was searched incident to arrest and two small baggies containing a white powdery substance, suspected to be cocaine, were seized.
Theodore LINDE age 29 of Carlisle has been charged with Over 80 MGS contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada and Possession of Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine. He is scheduled to appear in Guelph Criminal Court January 20, 2015 to answer to the charges.
On December 6, 2014 at approximately 2:30 a.m. at the Guelph-Eramosa/Woolwich Town Line in Guelph-Eramosa Township, officers investigated the driver of a 2007 Kia that entered into the R.I.D.E. checkpoint. Upon speaking with her, police determined that she had been consuming alcohol. A Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail.
Samantha MCCARTHY age 21 of Innisfil has been charged with Over 80 MGS contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. She is to appear in Guelph Criminal Court on January 9, 2015 to answer to the charge.
At 2:38 a.m. at the same location and date, officers investigated the driver of a 2013 Honda that entered into the checkpoint. Upon speaking with him police determined that he had been drinking alcohol. A Roadside Screening Device test was conducted which resulted in a fail.
Nabil BANAFUNZI age 31 of Guelph-Eramosa Township has been charged with Over 80 MGS contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He will appear in Guelph Criminal Court on January 13, 2015 to answer to the charge.
At approximately 3:20 a.m., same date and location, officers investigated the driver of a 2014 Lexus that failed to stop at the R.I.D.E. program, stopping just west of where the officers were set up. Officers determined that she had been drinking alcohol and a Roadside Screening Device Test was completed which resulted in a fail.
Lisa MCKERTCHER age 25 of Kitchener has been charged with Over 80 MGS contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. She is scheduled to appear in Guelph Criminal Court on January 2, 2015 to answer to the charge.
On January 6, 2014 at approximately 3:41 a.m. officers were conducting a R.I.D.E program at Highway 6 near College Avenue in the City of Guelph. A 1999 Toyota entered the program and officers suspected the male party to be under the influence of alcohol. A Roadside Screening Device test was administered which resulted in a fail.
Kory BERTRAND age 22 of Mississauga has been charged with Over 80 MGS contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He is to appear in Guelph Criminal Court December 23, 2014 to answer to the charge.
On December 7 2014 at approximately 4:09 p.m., members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting R.I.D.E. spot checks on Speedvale Avenue West at the Guelph-Eramosa/Woolwich Town Line in Guelph-Eramosa Township. Officers investigated the male driver of a 2014 Volkswagon that entered into the checkpoint. While speaking with the driver, police determined that he had consumed alcohol. A Roadside Screening Device test was administered which resulted in a fail.
Joseph DUMOULIN age 55 of Guelph has been charged with Over 80 contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He is scheduled to appear in Guelph Criminal Court on January 6, 2015 to answer to the charge.
In each incident the involved vehicle was towed and impounded for a period of seven days and their drivers’ licences suspended for 90 days as per statute.
The Wellington County OPP Festive R.I.D.E. campaign will continue through December. Anyone who observes or suspects an impaired driver is asked to report it. The OPP is reminding drivers that any amount of alcohol can impair one’s ability to drive and the OPP can issue an immediate roadside driver’s licence suspension to drivers who register a blood alcohol content in the “Warn Range†of .05 to .08.