Two Teens Charged With Pointing Firearms; Third Person Charged With Uttering Threats

Three people, including two teenagers, are facing charges, including pointing a firearm at a victim, with a third person charged with uttering threats over two incidents overnight Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 11:50 p.m., officers were called about an incident that had happened at a residence in the Parkhill Road and Monaghan Road area. They learned that the victim had attended the residence to pick someone up when two other people came out and started verbally threatening the victim. One had also pointed a firearm at the victim while making a verbal threat. The victim fled the area in their vehicle. 

Officers canvassed the area but did not locate the suspects.  

At approximately 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, a call for service came in about two teenagers with firearms at a business in the Chemong Road and Bellevue Street area.

Officers attended and located several people matching the description given to police walking in a parking lot. They were taken into custody without incident.  During a search after arrest, officers seized three BB guns.   

The 24-year-old Ottawa woman wanted in connection with the previous incident was with the group and was taken into custody.

While in custody, the 17-year-old girl became aggressive and kicked and scratched officers.

As a result of the investigation:

A 17-year-old Peterborough girl was arrested in connection with both incidents and charged with:

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

• Pointing a Firearm

• Assault with a Weapon

• Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Assault a Peace Officer X2

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following condition: to not possess any weapon(s) as defined by the Criminal Code (for example but not restricted to: a BB gun, pellet gun, firearm, imitation firearm, cross-bow, prohibited or restricted weapon, ammunition or explosive substance or anything designed to be used or intended for use to cause death or injury or to threaten or intimidate any person).

The accused was held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on Saturday.

A 15-year-old Peterborough boy was arrested in connection with the incident at the business and charged with:

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Carrying concealed weapon

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on July 27.

A 24-year-old Ottawa woman was arrested in connection with the incident at the residence and charged with:

• Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm

The accused was held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on Saturday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Man Arrested After Attempted Robbery On Convenience Store Breaking Windows On Others

A 21-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after an incident at a convenience store early Thursday morning as well as in connection with two other incidents.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4 a.m., officers were called to a convenience store in the Clonsilla Avenue and Goodfellow Road area about a robbery in progress in which the suspect threatened the clerk with a kitchen utensil.

Officers spotted a man matching the description given to police fleeing on a bicycle. The male was stopped; however, he did not respond to further officer commands. An officer drew their conducted energy weapon and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, the suspect initially gave a false name.

It was also learned that the man was wanted on four warrants and in connection with two other incidents in which windows at convenience stores were broken, one in East City on Armour Road and the other on King Street, in the early morning hours of June 7. 

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrants and further charged with:

• Robbery with a weapon

• Obstruct peace officer

• Mischief Under $5,000 X2 (windows)

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Man Arrested and Charged With Assault For Punching Older Man In the Face

A 39-year-old Peterborough man is facing an assault charge after punching an older man on Monday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 8:30 a.m., a general patrol officer in the Reid Street and Simcoe Street area spotted a group of people gathered around an older man. The officer further learned that the man had been punched in the face by another man known to him. The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Officers located a man matching the description given to police, who was located a short distance away, and took him into custody.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Assault

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on June 15.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Man Arrested For Break-and-Enter at Enclosed Compound

A 43-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after an incident at a Peterborough business early Saturday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 4 a.m., officers were called to the business in the Ashburnham Drive and Lansdowne Street area after it was noticed that two people had entered an enclosed compound. Officers were unable to access the compound and the RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) was deployed. Using the technology, officers located one man as he exited the compound on the other side and began leaving the area via a path. Officers were able to stop him on the path and take him into custody.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Break, Enter a dwelling house with intent to commit indictable offence

• Possession Break In Instruments

The accused was released on an undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

"The Main Goal Was That Mr. Rogers No Longer Be Employed As a Police Officer" Peterborough Police Chief Responds To Community Questions Surrounding Former Officer

To clear up details and speculation generated by social media and community discourse surrounding former officer Max Rogers, Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts has issued a response to the public.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“I believe it is important to address some of the questions and comments to help further clarify what happened and why,” said Betts.

Constable Mackenzie Rogers resigned after pleading guilty to criminal charges laid against him in September in court on Wednesday. He was charged with two counts of breach of trust and possession of stolen property obtained by crime and pleaded guilty to the latter.

Betts first addresses how the Peterborough Police would have input on the guilty plea process.

“As Chief, I was advised that there was a possible resolution via a guilty plea, and although I was not aware to what charge Mr. Rogers would plead guilty to, I was agreeable to it, so long as it meant he would resign from the Peterborough Police Service. This would negate the need for a lengthy Police Hearing which would have potentially dragged on for several more years,” said Betts. “Would I have preferred that his plea was for one of the other charges? Yes; however, as my primary concern was that he no longer be employed as a police officer, I was accepting of a guilty plea on any charge so long as he resigned. This was ultimately in the best interest of the public.”

Betts would clarify why Rogers's case resulted in a guilty plea rather than a trial.

“I believe the OPP had a strong case and would have supported a trial,” said the Police Chief. “This option is costly and as the main goal was that Mr. Rogers no longer be employed as a police officer, it was most appropriate that this decision be made. The nature of the charges did not directly impact any member of the public.”

Rogers was suspended with pay during the investigation and is entitled to the pension that he paid into. Both were considered legal and lawful for him to obtain, according to Betts.

“Because of the limitations of the Community Safety and Policing Act, I was not lawfully able to suspend Mr. Rogers without pay. As detestable as some will find that, it is the law,” he explained. “Therefore, every day he remained a police officer, he was being paid a salary – that could have continued through a lengthy trial and an even longer Police Act hearing, both of which were available options to him as part of the Judicial process. In my view, stopping that from continuing was in the greater public interest.”

Since Rogers has resigned and no longer is a member of the Peterborough Police Service, Betts said a police hearing is not being conducted.

“Any internal Police investigation and process cannot proceed until all Court proceedings (and possible appeal) have been concluded,” he explained. “This resolution (resignation and guilty plea) served the interest of Mr. Rogers and the Peterborough Police Service. But it ultimately serves the financial interest, in terms of cost-avoidance, of the taxpayer. Had it not gone this route, as Chief, I was prepared to seek termination through the discipline process.”

Betts denied any public allegations that Rogers received favourable treatment due to his seven-year tenure with the Peterborough Police Service.

“I would say to any member of the public believes that, that they are misinformed as to how the Justice System works,” stated Betts. “Guilty pleas are part of the system and a regular means by which many criminal cases are resolved. Mr. Rogers was before the courts as a police officer, but he was treated as any other citizen facing criminal charges would be treated.”

Betts argues that Rogers’s future is up in the air because this conviction means he will never practice law enforcement again.

“In fact, he faced greater jeopardy, because he ultimately lost his job. There are very few professions where someone will lose their job because of a criminal conviction for this offence or the others,” he stated. “Police officers should be held to a greater level of accountability, and this outcome demonstrates the seriousness of that – he will never become a police officer again. The same could not be said for most other professions. A conviction will be registered; he is no longer a police officer; he is no longer being paid with tax dollars; the process ultimately saved time and money.”

The Peterborough Police Chief concluded that the OPP conducted the investigation and that, if there was more to the case, it would be ongoing.

“The Peterborough Police Service learned of the initial allegations and turned all further responsibility to them (OPP). As Chief, I have utmost confidence in their investigators and that if there were ongoing concerns, they would still be investigating.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Cobourg Teenager Charged With Impaired Driving After Being Discovered Passed Out At the Wheel

A 17-year-old Cobourg female is facing an impaired charge after being discovered passed out while operating a vehicle on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 10 a.m., officers were called to a parking lot in the Lansdowne Street and Willowcreek Boulevard area by concerned motorists regarding a woman who was spotted passed out at the wheel. Officers located the vehicle and upon speaking with the driver, noticed signs of impairment.

The teen was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on July 27.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Constable Resigns After Pleading Guilty to Charges Laid In September

Constable Mackenzie Rogers of the Peterborough Police has resigned after pleading guilty to criminal charges laid against him in September.

Rogers was sworn in as a Constable at the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on Dec. 6, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Rogers was arrested by Peterborough Police and faced two counts of breach of trust and possession of stolen property obtained by crime.

His charges were listed by the Peterborough Police on Sept. 7 and he pled guilty to the latter on Wednesday, according to Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief.

“As Chief of Police, nothing is more angering than to know that a trusted member of the police service crossed the line into criminality.  It is inexcusable and certain, as marked by Mr. Rogers admission of guilt,” he said. “It affects each and everyone of us, not only in this Organization, but in our profession, when an officer crosses the line they swore an oath to uphold.”

The former Constable returns to court on Aug. 24 for sentencing.

“We will continue to follow the case through to its conclusion at sentencing, said Betts. “Now that Mr. Rogers has pled guilty, he will be subject to the same monitoring for compliance with court-imposed conditions upon sentencing that every other convicted criminal is.”

Rogers served seven years with the Peterborough Police Service prior to his arrest. He was sworn in as a Constable at the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on Dec. 6, 2019.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Stunt Driving Charge Issued After Going 54 km/h Over the Limit In 50 Zone

A 20-year-old driver is facing a stunt driving charge, going 54 km/h over the speed limit after a stop on Aylmer Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 1 p.m., a Peterborough Police Service traffic officer was on general patrol in the area of McDonnell Street and George Street when a vehicle was spotted driving erratically. The vehicle turned onto Aylmer Street toward Parkhill Road and accelerated, reaching a recorded speed of 104 km/h in a 50km/h zone. The officer activated their emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.

The driver was issued a ticket for stunt driving and was given a 30-day license suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Man Charged After Trying to Steal a Motorcycle At a Residence

A 36-year-old Peterborough man is facing multiple charges including attempted theft of a motorcycle during a break-and-enter at a residence on Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 9 a.m., officers were called to the residence in the Cumberland Avenue and Water Street area. Officers learned that the homeowner had heard a commotion near a closed shed. When they reviewed their video footage, they saw a man enter the shed and attempt to start a motorcycle. It did not start and the man left the property.

Officers searched the area and located a man matching the description given to police a short distance away. During a search after arrest, officers seized a large quantity of pills and a pair of wire cutters.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Break, Enter a place - with intent to commit indictable offence

• Theft Under $5,000

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following condition: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on Monday.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Suspect Found Guilty Of Murder and Aggravated Assault From 2023 Simcoe Street Apartment Homicide

Thirty-two-year-old Jesse Rowe has been found guilty of the murder of 27-year-old Cynara Lewis and aggravated assault for stabbing 33-year-old Daycota Csiszar at a Simcoe Street apartment in 2023, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The trial was held in Peterborough and wrapped up on Monday after three months. 

The incident happened on Sept. 6, 2023, at 9 p.m. in a Simcoe Street apartment. Through investigation and examination of footage from the police-maintained and private CCTV cameras in the area, Rowe was identified and arrested a few hours later on Sept. 7, 2023.

Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief released a statement regarding the verdict:

“This positive result comes after almost three years after the murder of Ms. Lewis and significant injury to Mr. Csiszar. It is a testament to the hard work of investigators to identify and bring those committing violence in our community before the courts. I am proud of the dedication and hours of work from those in our Investigative Services Unit from detectives to victim services, as well as the support from our Court Services division throughout both trials in this matter.  A previous trial in November ended in a mistrial.

These investigations and trials highlight the important partnership between the police service and the Crown to bring forward the best information for a jury. I am grateful to our prosecutors for their efforts in this case. Much of what the police do relies on a vigorous prosecution and together we are helping to ensure that healing can begin for the families of Ms. Lewis and Mr. Csiszar.”

Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.