LANARK COUNTY – A stolen vehicle runs off the road in one of 375 calls for service the Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to over the last week. (Aug. 3 to Aug. 10).

The OPP responded to 24 motor vehicle collisions and one impaired driver over the week.

“On Aug. 7, officers from the Carleton Place OPP were on general patrol in the Town of Carleton Place just before midnight when a vehicle took off, driving dangerously through the town after seeing the police cruiser,” OPP media relations officer Lori Lobinowich released in a statement today (Aug. 10).

“Officers patrolled for the vehicle and located it later after it ran off the road on Tatlock Road.”

The driver, Christopher Robbins, age 32 of Carleton Place, was arrested and charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code:

• Flight from Peace Officer
• Dangerous Operation
• Operation While Impaired – Over 80
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order – two counts
• Operation While Prohibited Under the Criminal Code
• Theft of Motor Vehicle

The accused sustained minor injuries from the collision and was held in custody pending a bail hearing on Aug. 8 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

The OPP responded to seven domestic incidents over the week.

“A 61-year-old resident of Drummond-North Elmsley Township was arrested and charged on Aug. 5, for failing to abide by conditions of their release after communicating with their ex-spouse contrary to release conditions,” Lobinowich said. “The accused was further charged with Criminal Harassment for repeated contact.”

Release was in the form of an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Oct. 5, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

There were 10 reported thefts over the week.

Carleton Place OPP were advised on Aug. 4, of the theft of 20 polystyrene foundation sheets stolen from a construction site on Johanna Street in Mississippi Mills Township. The sheets are valued at $600.

Carleton Place OPP were called on Aug. 4, regarding an incident of shoplifting at a grocery store on Ottawa Street in Mississippi Mills Township. Officers attended and a 33-year-old resident of the township was arrested and charged with engage in prohibited activity on premises contrary to the Trespass to Property Act.

Officers from the Lanark County OPP Detachments (Perth and Carleton Place) received six calls regarding gas drive-offs between Aug. 3 to 10. Two in the Town of Perth, three in the Town of Carleton Place and one in Mississippi Mills Township.

The OPP responded to four cases of mischief.

Sometime overnight between Aug.  2 and 3, someone spray-painted on the side of the Canoe Club in Carleton Place the names ‘Gracie’ and ‘Toby.’  

Sometime overnight between Aug. 5 and 6, 2020, what appears to be feces was smeared on the side of a food truck in Mississippi Mills Township.

There were eight reports of fraud over the week.

“Scam calls regarding Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) continue in Lanark County,” Lobinowich said. “Never give out your SIN over the telephone in whole or part. Residents continue to get sucked in by adept scammers who tell you your SIN is linked to fraud and convince you to confirm the last three digits – don’t do it. Another new scam reported to Lanark County OPP this week involved people going to meet scammers regarding reported fraud or drug charges in relation to their SIN – never ever go to meet someone you do not know. One resident went and met someone in the City of Ottawa and had all their identification taken and were threatened.”

If in doubt of the legitimacy of a call, hang up and call police at 1-888-310-1122.

There were two Liquor Licence Act charges over the week.

“While you are out enjoying the beautiful weather on the many lakes and waterways in Lanark County remember; impaired on the water is the same as impaired on the road,” Lobinowich said. “Your driver’s licence will be automatically suspended for 90 days. Water and pop on the water; beer, spirits and cannabis at home. And remember, if you are towing people in tubes, on boards or waterskiing you need a dedicated spotter to watch in case of emergency.”

Officers from the Lanark County OPP and the East Region SAVE (Snowmobile, All-terrain, Vessel Enforcement) Unit laid several liquor related offences while patrolling waterways between Aug. 3 and 10.

Carleton Place OPP were called on Aug. 5, just after 6:30 p.m. regarding an on-going harassment incident in Mississippi Mills Township. The subsequent police investigation ended with Walker Haw, age 24, of Mississippi Mills Township, being arrested and charged with two counts of criminal harassment. Release was in the form of an undertaking with a scheduled court date of Sept. 21, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.

A call was made to the Lanark County OPP on Aug. 8, just before 5:30 a.m. regarding a robbery which had just taken place on Allington Road in Montague Township. The 26-year-old victim sustained minor injuries but was able to leave the area and get help from the Smiths Falls Police and OPP. Mathew Lewis, age 24 of South Elmsley Township, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

• Robbery with Weapon
• Assault with a Weapon
• Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing on Aug. 9, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth. Although the investigation is still on-going by the Lanark County OPP, there is no risk to the general public.

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.