LANARK COUNTY – The telephone was keeping Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) busy last week responding to 325 calls for service between Monday, May 17 and May 25.

 The OPP arrested two impaired drivers over the week and responded to 18 motor vehicle collisions.

“On May 18, just before 4:30 p.m. Lanark County OPP received a call regarding a loader knocking down hydro poles and lines in a residential area in Tay Valley Township,” media relations Const. Lori Lobinowich said. “Officers attended, located the driver and conducted their investigation which resulted in the arrest and charge of Michael McInnes, age 35 of Tay Valley Township, with refusal to comply with demand.” 

He was later released from custody on an appearance notice for a scheduled court date of Aug. 10, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. No one was injured as a result of this incident but with several poles affected, Hydro One attended to repair the damage.

“While on general patrol on May 23, just before 11 p.m., an officer from the Carleton Place OPP observed a vehicle driving in a concerning manner along Highway 15 in Montague Township,” Lobinowich said. “The vehicle was stopped and the driver spoken to. The resulting investigation ended with the driver, Bryan Bell, age 27 of Ottawa, being arrested and charged with impaired operation – over 80. The accused’s driver’s licence was suspended automatically for 90 days, the vehicle impounded for seven days and release was in the form of an appearance notice for a scheduled court date of July 20, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.”

Lanark County OPP responded to 36 traffic complaints between May 18 and 25. 

“With pandemic restrictions loosening, more people are out and about but driving rules and regulations remain the same on main highways and secondary roads,” Lobinowich said.

 The OPP responded to nine domestic incidents over the week.

“Carleton Place OPP received several calls regarding a domestic incident in a vehicle along Highway 7 in the Town of Carleton Place on May 18, beginning just after 6 p.m.,” Lobinowich said. “Officers located the vehicle and conducted their investigation which resulted in the arrest and charge of a 24-year-old person from London for spousal assault. The accused was released from custody on an undertaking for a scheduled court appearance on July 27, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. The victim sustained minor injuries from the assault and the accused was further charged for driving while under suspension.”

 A 35-year-old resident of Carleton Place was charged on May 19, regarding criminal harassment and failing to comply with undertaking in relation to a former spouse and being seen on their property. The incident took place in the Town of Carleton Place and involves the same victim from previous incidents. The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

An incident with neighbours ended with a domestic incident in Beckwith Township on May 22, just after midnight.

“Carleton Place OPP were called to a residence and a 35-year-old resident of the home was arrested and charged with assault and domestic mischief in relation to his wife,” Lobinowich  said. “Both the accused and the victim suffered minor injuries from the incident. The accused was later released from custody on an undertaking with a scheduled court appearance on July 27, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.”

The OPP responded to 12 thefts over the week.

“Lanark County OPP were contacted on May 19, regarding the theft of a Honda pressure washer and a Yamaha generator from a property on Drummond Concession 2 in Drummond-North Elmsley Township,” Lobinowich said. “The items are believed to have be stolen sometime between May 14 and 16.” 

Carleton Place OPP were called to a residence in Mississippi Mills Township on May 20, regarding the theft of a silver, Shimano Cardo DC fishing rod valued at $1,500. The incident happened between 5 and 5:20 p.m. while the owner stepped in the house momentarily. 

“The thief left in such a hurry their WLRD skateboard was left behind (green and white on underside of board),” Lobinowich said. 

Anyone with information regarding these thefts, the whereabouts of the item or the skateboard owner is asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122.

Carleton Place OPP were called on May 22, just after 2 p.m. to a grocery store on McNeely Avenue in the Town of Carleton Place regarding a person in custody for shoplifting. Officers attended and conducted their investigation which resulted in a 47-year-old resident of McNab-Braeside Township being charged with trespassing.

A 15-year-old resident of Ottawa, Ontario has been charged with theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, pertaining to an incident from May 17, involving entering unlocked vehicles in the Town of Almonte. The accused was served an appearance notice for a scheduled court date of July 29.

 The OPP responded to two mischief and four fraud calls over the week.

“Lanark County OPP wish to remind residents to change their passwords regularly as three of the four reported frauds last week involved hacking of passwords,” Lobinowich said. “Also, when asked “do you want to save your password for this site” answer no. Although it can be a pain to type in every time, it is much safer. If threatened to ‘pay or else,’ never pay, scammers aren’t honest and will try to get more money from you.”

The OPP responded to 10 mental health issues.

“Living life during a pandemic is difficult for everyone and can affect all aspects of our lives including our mental health,” Lobinowich said. “Help is only a call away: the Mental Health Crisis Line for Lanark, Leeds & Grenville area is 1-866-281-2911, Kids Help Phone is 1-800-668-6868 or text the word ‘CONNECT’ to 686868. We all need help and should not be ashamed or scared to ask for it.”

 Any person with information regarding any criminal activity should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Lanark County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.