(RENFREW, ON) – The Renfrew Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated 204 calls for service during the previous week.
Canada Road Safety Week
May 17-23 is Canada Road Safety Week and the Ontario Provincial Police will be placing a heavy focus on safe driving on our area roads and highways. The majority of fatalities on our roadways are caused by 4 factors: lack of seatbelt use, aggressive driving (speeding, unsafe lane changes etc.), drug or alcohol impaired driving and distracted driving. Everyone has a responsibility to be accountable for the decisions they make while driving. Ensure we all arrive alive. Drive with care especially as our roads get busier with increased summer traffic and construction delays.
Prescription Drug Drop Off Day Saturday May 21 in Arnprior
The OPP will participate in the Prescription Drug Drop Off Day in Arnprior at the OPP detachment on Saturday May 21 from 10 am – 1 pm. Officers will be present during those hours to receive old, unwanted or unused prescription medications. The misuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicine among teens is a source of concern among adults and police. Teens often access these medications from the medicine cabinet at home or the home of a relative. Getting rid of old, unused medications makes your community safer for all. All collected material is turned over to Health Canada for proper disposal.
Domestic Disputes
Renfrew and Arnprior OPP officers responded to nine domestic disputes during the past week. One female was charged with assault. No other criminal offences occurred.
Break and Enter
A vacant building on Gillan Road in Horton Township was broken into last week. Between Thursday May 5 and Saturday May 7 unknown persons damaged window and doors and gained entry into the building and attempted to burn the building. They were unsuccessful and left. Provincial Constable Tony Gardiner is investigating.
Thefts
Someone broke into a locked freezer outside Ricky’s Spuds in Renfrew. The business is located on Raglan St S in the Giant Tiger parking lot. Sometime between Wednesday May 4 and Friday May 6 someone entered a locked freezer and stole a large quantity of cheese curds. Provincial Constable Patrick O’Connor is investigating.
Items were stolen from a residence in Arnprior on May 1. The victim reports being away overnight and discovering jewelry, 2 watches, an x box 4 and controller, a 13” Mac book Pro, and an Apple I home Bluetooth speaker stolen. Provincial Constable Erin Joyce is investigating.
Stolen property was recovered and returned to the owner after a theft in Arnprior. The victim reported a pair of running shoes and ball cap stolen from their home. The name of a suspect was identified and further investigation resulted in the stolen property being returned. A 16-year-old male from Arnprior was warned. Provincial Constable Bernie Dikih investigated.
Liquor Licence Act
Two people were issued tickets after police investigated a complaint regarding people with open alcohol in a vehicle in Arnprior. On Saturday May 7 at approximately 7:05pm Sgt. John Birmingham patrolled for the suspect vehicle after a caller reported people drinking in a vehicle in a parking lot downtown Arnprior. The vehicle was located and open alcohol was seized. The driver had not been drinking but was warned for having open alcohol in the vehicle. Colin RYAN 17 of Pakenham and Casey COADY 17 of Arnprior were issued tickets for having open alcohol in other than a licenced premise, residence or private place.
Fraud
One person has lost $200 after responding to a fraudulent ad on a website for puppies for sale in Renfrew. The victim sent a $200 deposit to secure the purchase of the puppy using an e transfer to the seller. When someone attended to pick up the dog at the address provided on Peter Street in Renfrew they discovered the scam. The investigation revealed the money was sent to a Canadian bank in western Canada. Making purchases using local classifieds websites can be successful but there are plenty of scammers out there. People are urged to meet the seller in person in a public place if possible. Pay with cash, never mail a cheque or wire money to the seller. Use common sense, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Remember buyer beware!!
Many people once again reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency. They advised the person owed tax money and a lien would be placed on their home unless they paid the money immediately. The Canada Revenue Agency does not operate in this manner. If you receive this type of call report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre.ca
Drug Charges
Two people were arrested after a traffic stop for a male wanted on an arrest warrant from Hawkesbury OPP. Sunday May 8 at 8pm Provincial Constable Sarah Turcotte was in Renfrew when she observed a male in a vehicle known to her to have an outstanding arrest warrant. The vehicle was stopped and the male was arrested. A quantity of pills and marihuana were seized from the vehicle. The female driver was arrested as well. Kadie GILMOUR 28 of Horton was charged with possession of a schedule 1 drug for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a schedule 2 drug for the purpose of trafficking and driving with an expired licence. She was released on a promise to appear in court in Renfrew on July 6 for the drug related charges and a issued a ticket for the driving related charge. Terrence GOODWIN 26 of Horton was issued a promise to appear in court in Renfrew on July 6. He was held in custody on the arrest warrant and turned over to Hawkesbury OPP officers on May 9.
Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers Pembroke/Renfrew County believes that someone may have information that could assist police in solving these crimes. If you have information on any criminal offence that results in charges being laid, you qualify for an award of up to $2,000.00. Call Pembroke/Renfrew County Crime Stoppers at 735-8477 or toll free at 1-800-222-8477. You could help solve a crime. All tips remain anonymous and you will not have to attend court. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Our telephones are answered 24 hours a day. Please visit the website www.valleytips.ca.