LANARK COUNTY – In a big week for thefts in Lanark County, the Ontario Provincial Police were able to solve a case involving $6,000 worth of stolen golf course equipment.

Between Monday, July 13 and Monday, July 20, 2020 officers from the Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to 353 calls for service. 

Lanark OPP responded to 14 domestic disputes over the week.

Lanark County OPP were called on July 16, just after 2 p.m. regarding a death threat made via telephone by the caller’s ex-spouse who was currently on conditions not to contact the caller. Officers located the person who was arrested and charged with uttering threat to cause death. Release of the 46-year-old resident of Smiths Falls, was in the form of an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Sept. 14, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

The Carleton Place OPP were called to a motel on Highway 7 in Carleton Place on July 17, just before 11 p.m. regarding a heavily, intoxicated person causing issues at the location. Officers attended and located the person, conducted their investigation which ended with the person being arrested and charged with domestic assault against their ex-spouse. Release once sober, was in the form of an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Sept. 21, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. The accused is a 50-year-old resident of Ottawa. The victim suffered minor injuries from the assault.

The Carleton Place OPP were called to a residence in Mississippi Mills Township on July 18, just after midnight regarding a domestic situation. Officers attended and spoke with both parties. The subsequent investigation ended with the caller being arrested and charged with domestic assault after biting their spouse. The victim sustained minor injuries. The accused, a 39-year-old resident of the home was held in custody until sober and then released on an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Sept. 28, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

Thieves were busy over the week as constables responded to 15 theft calls, two break and enters and 10 fraud calls.

Lanark County/Carleton Place OPP received eight calls regarding theft of gas from area gas stations; three in Perth and five in Carleton Place between July 13 and 20. 

“Purchasers are reminded to check your credit card authorization did go through at the pump; especially if you do not take a receipt. Calls such as this take officers from other priority calls for service,” OPP media relations officer Const. Lori Lobinowich released in a statement today (July 22).

Lanark County OPP were called to Craig Street in the Town of Perth on July 18, at 12:30 p.m. regarding an 8 hp Yamaha outboard motor which had been chained to a tree. Unknown person(s) cut the tree in order to steal the motor sometime overnight. Anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of the motor is asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122.

On July 10, Lanark County OPP were advised of items stolen from a golf club in Lanark Highlands Township consisting of a riding lawnmower, dump trailer and two whipper snippers. On July 15, the stolen property was located at a property on Drummond 10A in Drummond-North Elmsley Township. The property valued at $6,000 was unfortunately damaged estimated at $1,000. 

Lanark County OPP investigated the incident which lead to the arrest and charge on July 16, of Dustin Cutmore, age 35 of Drummond-North Elmsley Township, with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and breach of probation. The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing on July 17, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

Lanark County OPP were called to a residence on Craig Street in the Town of Perth on July 17, just after 6 p.m. regarding an assault which had just occurred during the transfer of ownership of the property. The accused, a 61-year-old resident of Drummond-North Elmsley Township, was charged with Assault. Release was in the form of an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Sept. at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. The victim was not injured during the assault.

Carleton Place OPP were called on July 19, just before noon regarding a break, enter and theft at a residential property on Ramsay concession 7A in Mississippi Mills Township. The victim reported numerous items stolen and the home completely ransacked. This matter is still currently under investigation and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact police at 1-888-310-1122.

“Scams in the Lanark County area are continuing to be reported to police,” Lobinowich said. “Residents are reminded that the OPP, RCMP and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) do not require your social insurance (sin) number or any part of the number. Police never require it and the CRA will already have it on file on your income tax paperwork. Please do not give out your SIN number over the telephone. Also, police and the CRA do not deal in Bitcoin or payment via Western Union. We will never call you and tell you to send money in any form or you will be arrested.”

Carleton Place OPP were called to a parking lot on Bridge Street in the Town of Carleton Place on July 18, 2020 at noon regarding mischief to a tenant’s vehicle overnight. Air was let out of the tires and what appeared to be dry cement was thrown on the windshield. Anyone with information regarding this mischief is asked to contact police at 1-888-310-1122.

There were 22 motor vehicle collisions in Lanark County over the week.

A 51-year-old resident of Ottawa, was charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act after a six-vehicle collision on Highway 7 west of Highway 15 in Mississippi Mills Township on July 14, just before 4 p.m. Traffic had to be rerouted through Carleton Place and no injuries were reported in the collision. 

“Motorists are reminded to leave ample distance between vehicles so you can avoid a collision should you be required to stop and or brake quickly,” Lobinowich said.

A concerned motorist called police on July 16, just before 3 a.m. regarding a vehicle in the ditch on Highway 7 near Innsiville. The caller advised police the vehicle had been driven in an erratic manner and passed the caller and was located a short time later in the ditch. Lanark County OPP attended and located an injured male at the collision location. The injured driver was charged with several violations contrary to the Highway Traffic Act: driving while under suspension, careless driving, drive motor vehicle – no plates and operate a motor vehicle without insurance contrary to the compulsory Automobile Insurance Act. The accused, a 27-year-old resident of Ottawa, was taken to hospital for care regarding their injuries.

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.