Exactly eight months to the day, Waterloo Regional Police arrested two suspects who went on something of a vandalism spree in Elmira last September 6.
On May 6, a 22-year-old woman and 24-year-old man were each charged with three counts of mischief in connection with incidents of graffiti, including spray-painting a mural on the side of the Home Hardware store on Church Street, as well as public property throughout the town.
The content of the graffiti that covered the mural was graphic and slanderous, one tag displaying the phrase “Queen steals from taxpayers” and some of the images spray painted depicting genitalia.
Constable Ashely Dietrich estimated the damages to be approximately $1,000 in clean-up and repair costs.
“Each company cleaned up their own costs, but I think the businesses are seeking restitution as part of the overall investigation through court,” she said.
The vandalized properties include the former Riverside PS school building and a generating station, along with the mural.
MAY 1
9:39 AM | Waterloo Regional Police responded to the area of Erbs Road in Wilmot Township, where a vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree. No one was injured, but the driver, a 29-year-old woman, was charged with ‘careless driving.’
1:20 PM | Police responded to Northfield Drive East and Line 86 east of Elmira for a collision involving two vehicles. One of the vehicles failed to stop for a red light and struck the oncoming vehicle. One of the drivers was taken to hospital as a precaution. The driver of the pickup truck, a 72-year-old man, was charged with ‘disobey red light – fail to stop.’
3:22 PM | No one was injured when a vehicle struck a tree on Earl Martin Drive in Elmira. Police report that a mechanical malfunction is believed to have caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. No charges were laid.
6:41 PM | Waterloo Regional Police responded to the area of Splint Road and Side Road 16 in Woolwich Township for an animal complaint. Police received reports that two large dogs were chasing people on bicycles. Police arrived on scene and located the dogs. The owner was advised to keep the dogs on her property. No injuries were reported.
11:00 PM | Waterloo Regional Police charged a 19-year-old male with ‘failure to stop after an accident causing death’ in connection to a fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred north of Elmira. An 18-year-old cyclist had been struck by a dark grey Chevrolet Sonic on Arthur Street North, near the intersection of Reid Woods Drive. The driver of the vehicle initially stopped to offer assistance, however fled the scene. The male cyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene.
MAY 2
3:30 AM | Waterloo Regional Police responded to Arnold Street in Wilmot Township for a suspicious vehicle. While in the area police discovered a shipping container on the property was pried open. Property was recovered at the scene.
9:46 AM | Waterloo Regional Police received a report that three vehicles that were parked in the area of King Street North in St. Jacobs were entered overnight. A wallet along with personal property were taken from the vehicles. Police remind motorists to lock their vehicles and take valuables inside after receiving several reports of thefts from vehicles. If someone has entered your vehicle and has stolen your property, file a police report by visiting wrps.on.ca. If there is any evidence left behind, including property belonging to the suspect, call police at 519-570-9777.
MAY 3
10:16 AM | A resident of Dunke Street North in Elmira reported that her validation sticker was stolen from her licence plate. The timeframe of the theft remains unknown, and there are no suspects.
6:51 PM | Emergency services responded to Herrgott Road and Church Street in Wellesley Township for a single-vehicle collision involving an ATV. An adult and child were thrown from the ATV when the driver failed to stop for a stop sign and lost control. Both occupants were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
MAY 4
9:43 AM | Rebel Creek Golf course reported property damage to a golf green. It is believed the incident occurred overnight. The suspects have been identified.
MAY 6
4:22 PM | Waterloo Regional Police responded to the area of Line 86 in Wellesley Township after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a hydro pole. The driver, a 19-year-old woman, was charged with ‘careless driving.’ No injuries were sustained.
MAY 9
8:00 PM | A Wellington County OPP officer was monitoring traffic and conducting radar on Wellington Road 7 near Side Road 10 in the Township of Centre Wellington when they observed a vehicle travelling northbound at a speed that appeared to be well above the posted 80 km/h speed limit. The vehicle was locked on radar in excess of 145 km/h. While speaking with the two occupants, police observed drug paraphernalia and drug residue in plain view and they were placed under arrest. The driver attempted to resist arrest before being seated in the rear of the police vehicle. While searching the passenger’s belongings, police located fentanyl and stolen cheques, some of which were forged. Police searched the vehicle and located a prohibited weapon as well as methamphetamine and fentanyl. A 22-year-old woman of no fixed address was charged with ‘racing a motor vehicle,’ ‘possession of an opioid,’ ‘possession of methamphetamine,’ ‘resist arrest’ and ‘unauthorized possession of a weapon.’ The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on July 31. Her vehicle and driver’s licence were seized for a period of seven days as per statute. A 30-year-old man, also of no fixed address, was charged with ‘possession of an opioid,’ three counts of ‘possession of property obtained by a crime,’ three counts of ‘possession of forged document with intent’ and ‘fail to comply with probation order.’ He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on July 31 to answer to their charges.
MAY 11
6:53 AM | A single-vehicle collision brought police to Hessen Strasse, between Moser Young and Hackbart roads, in Wellesley Township. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a hydro pole. No one was injured, but the driver, a 26-year-old male, was charged with ‘careless driving.’
