LANARK COUNTY – Three impaired drivers and 28 motor vehicle collisions took up a lot of the Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) time during a busy week on Lanark roads.

Between Monday, Sept. 21 and Monday, Sept. 28, OPP officers responded to 384 calls for service. 

 Police responded to a three-vehicle collision on Roger Stevens Drive in Montague Township on Sept. 25, shortly before 2 p.m.

“The collision resulted in several occupants being transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and a charge of fail to share half roadway – meeting vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act for a 79-year-old driver from Smiths Falls,” OPP media relations officer Lori Lobinowich released in a statement today (Sept. 28).

Lanark County OPP were called to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 7 in Tay Valley Township on Sept. 27, just before 6 p.m. 

“Officers attended along with Lanark County Paramedics and the Bathurst, Burgess, Drummond-North Elmsley Fire Department,” Lobiniwich said. “The vehicle driver, Ramanbir Singh, age 31 of Brockville, was charged with dangerous operation and obstruct peace officer.”

The accused was released from custody on an appearance notice for a scheduled court date of Nov. 16, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. The accused was further charged under the Highway Traffic Act for red light – fail to stop and Class G1 licence holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver. A passenger in the vehicle was taken to hospital for assessment.

A 35-year-old resident of Perth, was charged on Sept. 22, for failing to stop at crossover – Community Safety Zone on Harris Street South in the Town of Perth. 

“Drivers are reminded vehicles and cyclists must wait until pedestrians are completely across the roadway before proceeding,” Lobinowich said. “Although many people aren’t aware of this law, it has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2016.”

On Sept. 22, a concerned motorist called police just before 8:30 p.m. regarding another driver stopped along County Road 29 in Mississippi Mills Township. 

“Officers from the Lanark County OPP attended and conducted their investigation which resulted in the arrest and charge of Corey Blakeley, age 32 of Carleton Place, for operation while impaired – over 80,” Lobiniwich said.

The accused was later released from custody on an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Nov. 16, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. The accused was further charged for driving without a licence under the Highway Traffic Act.

“A concerned motorist called police on Sept. 26, shortly after 1:30 p.m. regarding a vehicle not maintaining its lane on Highway 7 in Tay Valley Township,” Lobinowich said. “Officers from the Lanark County OPP located and stopped the vehicle to investigate. The driver, James Stanley, age 64 of Tay Valley Township, was arrested and charged with operation while impaired and failure or refusal to comply with demand.”

The driver’s licence was suspended automatically for 90 days and the vehicle impounded for seven days. The accused was released from custody on an appearance notice for a scheduled court date of Nov. 23, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

A driving complaint on Highway 7 in Drummond-North Elmsley Township was called in to Lanark County OPP on Sept. 26, at 9:30 p.m.

“Officers located the vehicle in question and conducted a traffic stop,” Lobinowich said. “The driver, Derek McParland, age 41 of Carleton Place, was arrested and charged with operation while impaired and operation while impaired – over 80. The accused was released from custody on an appearance notice with a scheduled court date of Nov. 16, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.”

 OPP responded to 14 domestic incidents over the week.

Carleton Place OPP were called to a residence in the Town of Carleton Place on Sept. 24, just after 2 p.m. regarding a domestic incident. 

“The subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest and charge of a 20-year-old resident of the home with two counts of spousal assault and one count of mischief to property,” Lobinowich said. “The accused was released from custody on an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Nov. 30, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.”

Officers from the Lanark County OPP were called to a residence in Tay Valley Township on Sept. 26, just before 5:30 a.m. after reports of hearing a female yelling for help. 

“Police attended the address and spoke with both involved people which resulted in a 33-year-old resident of Ottawa, being arrested and charged with assault,” Lobinowich said. ”The accused was released from custody on an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Nov. 2, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.”

On Sept. 26, just before 2 p.m. Lanark County OPP were called regarding a breach of release conditions in relation to a domestic situation in Lanark Highlands Township. Officers located the person in question, a 65-year-old resident of Carleton Place, who was arrested and held in custody pending a bail hearing.

 OPP investigated 10 thefts, two break and enters, six cases of fraud and one case of mischief over the week.

Between Sept. 21 to 28, officers from the Lanark County/Carleton Place OPP received two reports of theft of gas, one each in Perth and Carleton Place. Officers also received three calls regarding thefts from unlocked vehicles in Montague Township during the same time period. Residents are reminded to lock vehicles in your driveway at all times to avoid thefts of opportunity.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are doing shopping and other transactions online,” Lobinowich said. “It is very important for people to remember the old adage buyer beware when online. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. Try to stick to reputable and commonly known retailers/companies when purchasing online (think Wal-Mart, Amazon, etc.). Be wary when dealing with individuals through sites like KIJJI if you haven’t deal with the person/company before.”

On Sept. 26, just before 2:30 a.m., officers from the Lanark County OPP were called to the Village of Lanark regarding a fight. 

“The subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest and charge of a 42-year-old resident of Lanark Highlands Township for being intoxicated in a public place,” Lobinowich said. “The accused was held in custody until sober. There were no reported injuries resulting from this incident.”

Lanark County OPP were called regarding an incident of threats at a workplace in Tay Valley Township on Sept. 25, just before 1:30 p.m. 

The subsequent investigation resulted in a 58-year-old resident of Lanark Highlands Township being charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. The accused was released from custody on an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Nov. 2, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

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.