Tag: Waterloo Regional Police Service

On June 10, 2021, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Waterloo Regional Police responded to the area of Southridge Drive in Kitchener for a report of an injured animal.

Reports indicate that a male was operating a motorized bike and a dog was being dragged. The dog sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident. As a result of the investigation, the owner has been charged with one count of Cruelty to Animals- Causing unnecessary suffering. The Provincial Animal Welfare Service will be continuing to investigate the incident.   

Members of the public are reminded that if they witness animal cruelty, to contact police at 519-570-9777 or the Provincial Animal Welfare Service at 1-833-926-4625.

On June 8, 2021, at 6 p.m., the Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener-Waterloo hosted a community vigil, via Zoom, for the Muslim family tragically killed in London, Ontario on June 6, 2021.

Approximately two hours into the vigil, individuals interrupted the event with racist and homophobic comments. The organizers were forced to pause the vigil while the persons responsible were removed.

Members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Cybercrime Unit continue to investigate this incident, while members of our Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Unit continue to offer support to the Muslim community.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Islamophobia and all forms of hate have no place in Waterloo Region. Everyone deserves to be and feel safe in our community.

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Between May 18, 2021, and May 24, 2021, members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) participated in Canada Road Safety Week – a campaign focused on making Canada’s roads the safest in the world. 

This year’s theme, Not Worth the Risk, called on all motorists to recognize and acknowledge the risks associated with poor decisions.

The campaign resulted in 840 charges being laid, including:  

• 386 Speeding charges
• 28 Seatbelt charges
• 43 Distracted Driving charges
• Two Dangerous Driving charges 
• 21 Impaired Operation related charges 
• 360 Other charges laid include Criminal Code offences, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act charges, and other Highway Traffic Act offences, including improper turns, failing to stop for a school bus and unsafe lane changes. 

“During Canada Road Safety Week, WRPS focused on targeting the Fatal Four offences – which is impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and not wearing a seatbelt,” said Bryan Larkin, Chief of Police. “What we witnessed was a lack of regard for other road users and unsafe driving behaviours that are unacceptable on our roadways. This was a disappointing result, but shows our commitment to continue to hold those accountable who put others at risk.” 

Police continue to remind motorists to slow down and obey the rules of the road. 

This is Your Community. This is Your Choice. 

Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada. This initiative is part of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025, which has a goal of making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2025.

In April 2021, the Joint Waterloo-Guelph Human Trafficking team commenced an investigation. It was alleged that the accused obtained sexual services from the victim and solicited the sexual services for monetary compensation. 

On May 19, 2021, as a result of the ongoing investigation, a 31-year-old Stratford male has been charged with the following offences:

• Human Trafficking (Under 18)
• Human Trafficking
• Receiving Material Benefit (Under 18)
• Receiving Material Benefit
• Three counts of Obtain Sexual Services for Consideration 

The male has been held for a bail hearing.

The victim has been provided with a safety plan and community resources as part of the Human Trafficking Crisis Intervention program.

Anyone with information relating to this incident, or anyone with information concerning potential human trafficking victims, are encouraged to contact the Joint Waterloo-Guelph Human Trafficking team at intel.ht@wrps.on.ca or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Joint Waterloo-Guelph Human Trafficking team has been made possible by a grant from the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant through the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

On May 19, 2021, the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Robbery Unit arrested a Waterloo male in connection to an armed robbery.

On May 14, 2021, police responded to the area of Devitt Avenue North in Waterloo for a report of an attempt vehicle theft. The victim reported that at approximately 3 a.m., he was woken to the sounds of someone attempting to steal his motor vehicle. The victim confronted the suspect and was threatened  by a knife. No physical injuries were sustained as a result of the incident. The suspect was last seen fleeing the area on foot.

As a result of the investigation an 18-year-old male was held for a bail hearing and charged with the following offences, Robbery with a Weapon, Weapons Dangerous, Possession Over $5,000, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Publish Date: Feb 23, 2021
Incident Date: Feb 14, 2021
Location: AVONDALE AVE S, WATERLOO, ON Canada

On February 22, 2021, at approximately 4:30 p.m., members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s General Investigations Unit, with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team, completed a search warrant at a residence on Avondale Avenue South in Waterloo. The warrant was in relation to a complaint about a firearm in the home. As a result of the investigation, an airsoft pistol was located inside the residence and two 18-year-old males were arrested for charges including Utter Threats, Mischief Under $5000, Assault with a Weapon and Use an Imitation Firearm in Commission of Offence. Both males were held for a bail hearing.

Publish Date: Feb 23, 2021
Incident Date: Feb 10, 2021
Location: KING ST N, WATERLOO, ON Canada

Waterloo Regional Police continue to investigate a robbery that occurred on February 10, 2021, in the area of King Street North in Waterloo. At approximately 4:45 p.m. a female victim was walking through the parking lot when she was approached from behind by an unknown suspect. The suspect grabbed the victim’s handbag, and as a result, the victim fell to the ground. The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident. The suspect was last seen running through the parking lot and jumping the fence which leads to the area of High Street. Police are looking to identify and speak with this individual in connection to the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Publish Date: Feb 21, 2021
Incident Date: Feb 21, 2021
Location: CONCESSION ST, CAMBRIDGE, ON Canada

On February 21, 2021, at approximately 1:40 a.m., Waterloo Regional Police responded to the area of 143 Concession Street in Cambridge for a report of a disturbance. As a result of an altercation, a 61-year-old man was stabbed. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police are looking to locate Phillip Nicholson, 39, of no fixed address. Nicholson is wanted for aggravated assault and should be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, do not approach, but call 9-1-1. There will be an increased police presence in the Concession Street area throughout the day. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Publish Date: Feb 15, 2021
Incident Date: Feb 13, 2021
Location: MOSCRIP RD and SAMUELSON ST, CAMBRIDGE ON Canada

On February 13, 2021, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Waterloo Regional Police responded to Samuelson Street in Cambridge for reports of a single motor vehicle collision. The driver of a red Pontiac was travelling on Samuelson Street when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and strike a hydro pole. The driver, a 72-year-old Cambridge man, was transported to Cambridge Memorial Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The roadway was closed for several hours while police and Hydro were on scene. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Traffic Services Unit at 519-570-9777 ext 8791 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Publish Date: Feb 15, 2021
Incident Date: Feb 13, 2021
Location: ROSEMOUNT DR, KITCHENER, WATERLOO ON Canada

On February 13, 2021, at approximately 10 p.m., Waterloo Regional Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Krug Street and East Avenue in Kitchener for a Highway Traffic Act violation. The vehicle failed to stop for police and proceeded to travel at a high rate of speed. A short distance away, the driver lost control and struck a hydro pole causing significant damage to the pole and vehicle. The driver proceeded to travel to Rosemount Drive where the vehicle became inoperable. The male occupant then fled from the vehicle. Officers engaged in a brief foot pursuit and as a result, a 40-year-old Kitchener male was arrested and charged with several drug-related and Highway Traffic-related offences. Further investigation revealed that the male was wanted on a strength of a warrant and was a suspended driver. Police seized a large quantity of Canadian currency, prescription narcotics, suspected methamphetamine, and suspected fentanyl. The male was held for a bail hearing.