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.

Peterborough Man Criminally Charged With Breaking Downtown Restaurant Storefront Window

A 29-year-old Peterborough man is facing a criminal charge of mischief after breaking a local restaurant storefront window in Downtown Peterborough early Sunday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 2:35 a.m., Peterborough Police received calls about a restaurant window that had been smashed in the downtown. With assistance from video evidence, including police CCTV footage, a suspect was identified.

Peterborough Police’s investigation determined that the suspect had been removed from a nearby establishment prior to breaking the window. While walking past the restaurant, the suspect smashed the restaurant window with his fist and continued walking.

At approximately 5 pm on Sunday, the suspect turned himself in to the Police.

He was arrested and charged with:

• Mischief under $5,000

The suspect was released on an Undertaking and Promise to Appear in Court, in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Code and will appear in Court to answer to this charge.  

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

“The incident has received significant attention in local and social media, and it is very unfortunate and disappointing that this happened, as the impact on the restaurant owner is very real.

As Chief of Police, I would like to address the comments about the police response and acknowledge there can be frustration when Officers aren’t immediately available to respond to a call; therefore, I would like to take the unusual step of sharing with the community what our Officers were engaged with at the time the call came in for the broken window.

At the time of the call there were an additional 12 calls being responded to or waiting for a police response. These include:

• A mental health call in which an individual was on a bridge threatening to harm themselves and was apprehended and taken to PRHC for their safety.

• An intimate partner violence call resulting in an arrest and the male was transported to the police station

• A disturb the peace call, in which an intoxicated male was creating problems downtown. He was arrested and transported to the police station

In addition to the above calls, there were an additional nine calls in the queue. Considering the calls in progress and those others outstanding, our Communicators notified the restaurant owner that Officers would be unavailable to attend until the dayshift as the response at that point was an investigative one.

I recognize that incidents like these are frustrating and can garner a lot of heated discourse, often made in the heat of the moment without a full awareness of what is taking place throughout the entirety of the City, and while it may not feel like it, the men and women of your police service continue to perform an outstanding job.

Please consider the numbers below and where things would be without the investment Council has made in Public Safety. I am grateful for their support and incredibly proud of the work of our entire team. Our Members are your neighbours, they shop where you shop, their kids go to school and play sports with your kids, and they are equally frustrated and invested in this City and work hard to be responsive and keep it safe for you and for their families.”

The following are Betts’s aforementioned numbers:

2026 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests: 1,978

• Charges: 3,185

2025 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests: 1,784

• Charges: 2,451

2024 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests:1,461

• Charges: 2,451

2023 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests: 1,252

• Charges: 2,025

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.

Teenager Arrested After Punching Another Teen On a Bus and Carrying Several Weapons

A 14-year-old Peterborough male is facing several charges, including assault and weapon possession, after an incident on a City of Peterborough transit bus on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 3:15 p.m., officers were called to the area of Parkhill Road and Armour Road after a report of a passenger with a knife. Officers learned that the driver had stopped the bus, that the suspect had exited the bus, dropped something in the grass and was walking on Armour Road.

Officers located a male matching the description given to police and took him into custody. During a search after arrest, officers located a sword and bear mace on the suspect.

Through investigation, it was further learned that the suspect, who had been wearing a face mask, had punched and verbally threatened another teenage passenger on the bus.

The teen was arrested and charged with:

• Assault

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Carrying concealed weapon

• Disguise with Intent

The accused was released on an undertaking with conditions and will appear in court on July 13.

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 Police Warn Public of Increasing Online Scams of Private Car Sales

The Peterborough Police Service has received several reports about a scam by people responding to private car sales on Facebook Marketplace ads.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Between January and the end of May, Peterborough Police have received online reports detailing the same situation connected to private online car sales.

In each case, one of the potential buyers speaks to the seller, and, while distracted, two other buyers damage the vehicle to make it appear as if oil is leaking or it is coming from the exhaust, in an effort to buy the vehicle at a lower price.  

If you believe it is a scam, you can report it online. If you are in danger or it is an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

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.

Peterborough Man and Woman Arrested On Multiple Charges After Found Unwanted In a Backyard

Two people, after being found unwanted in a backyard, are facing charges, including failure to comply, drug possession and being wanted on a warrant on Tuesday evening.

Photo courtesy of hte PeterborougH Police Service.

At roughly 7:30 p.m., officers were called to a residence in the area of Weller Street and Wallis Drive regarding two unwanted people. Officers located a man and a woman in the backyard. During a search after arrest, officers seized 1.2 grams of Fentanyl and .6 grams of cocaine. 

A 31-year-old Peterborough woman wanted on a warrant for an allegation of breach of a Condition Sentence Order was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant.

A 39-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Other Drugs - Fentanyl

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Other Drugs - Crack Cocaine

The accused is currently bound by a release order with the following conditions: to reside in a different community and to remain in the residence at all times.

Both accused are being held in custody and appeared in court on Wednesday.

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 Theft and Taken Into Custody After Caught Trying to Hide Behind a Bush

A 34-year-old Peterborough man is facing several charges after a theft at a business on Monday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 1:30 p.m., officers were called to the area of Lansdowne Street West and Brealey Drive about a theft from a store. Officers spotted a man matching the description given to police on a bicycle. They saw the man get off the bike and attempt to hide behind a bush before taking him into custody.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting X2

• Fail to comply with probation order X2

• Enter premises when entry prohibited (Trespass to Property Act)

The accused is currently bound by two probation orders with the following condition: to not attend the business where the incident happened and to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

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

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.

Toronto Man Arrested From George Street/Parkhill Road Shooting Earlier This Year

A second man wanted in connection with a shooting earlier this year in the George Street North and Parkhill Road area has been arrested.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Through continued investigation, Peterborough Police Service officers with the Major Crime Unit identified the second suspect as 24-year-old Zuhib Mohamed of Toronto. On Wednesday, in conjunction with the Peterborough Police Service Emergency Response Team, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Toronto. 

Mohamed was arrested and charged with:

• Attempt to Commit Murder using Firearm

• Aggravated Assault

• Robbery using Firearm (Restricted or Prohibited)

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

The Peterborough Police Service is not looking for any other suspects in connection with this incident.

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.