Peterborough Man Faces 49 Charges Including Theft Over Multiple Businesses

Mitchell Mackenzie, a 31-year-old Peterborough man, is in custody on 49 separate charges, including theft related to incidents involving local businesses over the past 11 days.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Officers were notified of a theft in progress from a local business on Friday. Officers from the Community F.I.R.S.T unit attended the area and located a man matching the description. They also recognized the man as wanted on warrants.  After initially resisting arrest, the man was taken into custody.

Mackenzie was arrested and charged with:

• Fail to comply with probation x6

• Theft under $5,000 x3

• Resist peace officer

He was also arrested on the strength of the warrants for:

• Robbery with theft

• Fail to comply with probation x26

• Theft under $5,000 x12

The thefts related to the above charges involve $7,445.77 in merchandise lost from local businesses.

The accused in these matters has 42 previous criminal convictions in the Peterborough Police Service jurisdiction, including:

• Assault x2

• Uttering threats x2

• Possession of a schedule I x2

• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

• Operation while impaired

• Assault with a weapon

• Theft of motor vehicle

• Failing to comply with probation x11

The Peterborough Police Service recognizes the impact these offences have on our local community, and has identified this individual as being in the public interest.

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

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.

Two Peterborough Men Wanted On Warrants Arrested For Drug Possession In Separate Incidents

Two Peterborough men wanted on warrants were charged and arrested for drug possession in separate incidents on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

An officer on general patrol identified a man walking near Stewart Street and Dalhousie Street who was wanted on multiple warrants.

Officers took the 48-year-old man into custody on the strength of the warrants for:

• Unauthorized possession of a weapon  

• Fail to comply with appearance notice

During the search after arrest, and following an investigation, officers charged the man with:

• Possession of a schedule I substance

The accused is currently bound by a release order with the following condition: do not possess or consume any unlawful drugs.

As a result, the accused was further charged with:

• Fail to comply with release order – other than to attend court

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

Another 48-year-old Peterborough man was arrested on warrants and is facing additional drug-related charges after an investigation on Wednesday.

An officer was conducting a foot patrol near Reid Street and Simcoe Street, where they identified a man wanted on multiple warrants.

Officers took the man into custody on the strength of the warrants for:

• Fail to comply with probation x3

• Fail to comply with appearance notice

• Fail to attend court after having appeared x2

The 48-year-old Peterborough man was further charged with:

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking

• Possession of a schedule I substance – Cocaine

The accused was held in custody and appeared 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.

Two Women Charged After Two Traffic Stops Made On the Same Vehicle

Two women are facing charges after two traffic stops with the same vehicle on Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 11:30 a.m., a Traffic Unit officer was on general patrol when the Automated License Plate Reader alerted them to a suspended driver. The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver and a female passenger. During the interaction, the officer learned that the passenger was also a suspended driver.

A 64-year-old Peterborough woman was ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act for:

• Drive while suspended x2 (two different reasons)

• Driving with no insurance

• Driving without a valid permit

• Failure to surrender permit for motor vehicle

As the officer was completing their notes, they observed the passenger get into the driver's side of the vehicle and drive away. The officer activated their emergency lights as the vehicle was not insured and conducted a second traffic stop on the same vehicle. During a search after arrest, officers located a satchel containing an expandable baton and a can of pepper spray. 

A 35-year-old Toronto woman was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Possession of Weapon contrary to Prohibition Order

• Driving while under suspension X2 (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused is currently bound by a prohibition order with the following condition: to not possess any weapons as defined by the Criminal Code.

The accused was released on an undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 17.

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 Registered Massage Therapist Charged With Sexual Assault On Customer

Isaac Griffin, a 24-year-old Lakefield man and registered massage therapist, is facing a sexual assault charge after an incident was reported to police.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

In July, the Peterborough Police Service was made aware of an incident at a business in the High Street and Lansdowne Street area in which a customer reported that during a massage appointment they were sexually assaulted.

After an investigation, police laid charges against Griffin on July 20.

He was arrested and charged with:

• Sexual Assault

The accused was released on an undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct.13. 

The investigation is ongoing and the Peterborough Police Service is releasing the name of the accused as it is believed there may be other victims. 

The accused is no longer practicing as a registered massage therapist.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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.

Two Teen Boys Face Multiple Charges Which Include Assault From Three Incidents

Two teenage boys are facing multiple charges, including assault, in connection with three separate incidents from Saturday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 6:20 p.m., officers were called to the area of McDonnel Street and Monaghan Road about a group of teens, one brandishing a knife, who approached and confronted another teen. Officers searched the area and located two males matching the description of the two people who were involved in the confrontation. During a search after arrest, officers located and seized a multi-tool pocketknife from one of the teens.

Officers learned of two other incidents involving the same teenagers.

In the first, a group of three teenagers reported being chased and assaulted by two teens in the area of the train bridge near George Street and Dalhousie Street. Two of the victims were taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre afterward for treatment and released.

In the second incident, a convenience store employee reported that a teen entered the store, took an item and left without paying. The teen returned about 30 minutes later and when told they could not enter the store, threatened the clerk by saying he had a knife before the group fled.

As a result of the investigations:

A 15-year-old Peterborough male was arrested in connection with all three incidents and charged with:

• Assault X2

• Assault with A Weapon

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Failure to comply with undertaking

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm

• Theft Under $5,000- Shoplifting

The accused is currently bound by an undertaking with the following conditions: to not possess any weapons as defined by the Criminal Code.

Another 15-year-old Peterborough male was arrested in connection with two of the incidents and charged with:

• Assault X2

• Assault with A Weapon

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm

Both accused were held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on Sunday.

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 'Phone Provider Agent Scam' Circulating

The Peterborough Police Service is warning the public about a new scam that has been circulating over the past few weeks called the ‘Phone Provider Agent Scam.’

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In each case, the victim has received texts or calls from third parties posing as legitimate agents of a cell phone provider, offering discounts and deals on new phones and devices, along with incentives to act immediately.

These third parties gain login credentials to the complainant's accounts by asking their security questions and personal information under the guise of ‘Identity verification.’ Scammers then purchase new model phones and devices using the victim's accounts without their knowledge and have them mailed to their homes by the legitimate phone providers.

Once the new devices are received by the victims, the third-party scammers will reach out again, advising that there was an issue and the wrong device or model was sent to them, and provide a ‘return shipping label’ to the victims, directing them to mail the newly received phones or devices back to the phone provider.  

The scammer then sells the product and the victims are on the hook for the full value of the phones/devices. 

The Peterborough Police are advising residents to remember that scammers can mask their identity and the phone number they are calling from, known as ‘spoofing’ their phone number so it appears to be your legitimate phone provider's contact number.

If an offer seems sudden, rushed or too good to be true in any respect, disconnect the call and call your legitimate phone provider to verify whether they were actually contacting you with the offer/promotion. 

Anyone victimized by an attempted or successful fraud or scam is asked to report the incident to the Peterborough Police Service through their online reporting portal.

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.

Apsley Man Wanted On Warrants Arrested; Suspect Possessed Two Shotgun Shells

A 36-year-old Apsley man is facing several charges including resisting a peace officer and possessing firearm ammunition after an incident Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 10:30 a.m., an officer on bike patrol spotted the man wanted on a warrant in the area of Aylmer Street and Charlotte Street. When the officer attempted to stop the man, he fled on a bicycle. The officer briefly caught up to him before the suspect fled again and ran into an office. Officers located him inside the building and took him into custody. During a search after arrest, officers seized two shotgun shells. 

The man was arrested and charged with failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court in connection with the warrant and further charged with:

• Resist Peace Officer

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

• Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order x2

• Failure to Comply with Release Order - Other than to Attend Court

The accused is currently bound by a lifetime weapons prohibition, which includes a condition not to possess ammunition; a probation order with the condition to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and a release order with the condition not to be in the City of Peterborough. 

The accused was held in custody and appeared 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 Woman Arrested For Stealing Money From a Vehicle In a Parking Lot

A 33-year-old Peterborough woman faces a theft charge after stealing money from a vehicle Wednesday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 10:15 a.m., officers were called to a parking lot in the Rink Street and George Street area about a woman going through a vehicle. The vehicle owner attempted to stop the woman but the suspect left the area.

Officers learned that the vehicle had been entered and that some money was gone. During a search of the area, officers located a woman matching the description given to police and took her into custody.

The woman was arrested and charged with:

• Theft Under $5,000

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

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

The accused was released on an undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 10.

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 Lay Two Stunt Separate Driving Charges On the Same Day

The Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit has charged two drivers under the Highway Traffic Act for stunt driving and speeding on Aug. 5.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

A 55-year-old male driver towing a trailer was recorded going 121 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone on Lily Lake Road near Eastwood Road. The driver was charged with stunt driving, speeding and failing to surrender a permit for a trailer under the Highway Traffic Act.

In a second case, a 50-year-old female driver was recorded going 98 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone on Lily Lake Road near Eastwood Road. The driver was charged with stunt driving and speeding under the Highway Traffic Act. 

Both drivers had their licenses suspended for 30 days and their vehicles were impounded for 14 days. 

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 Have Growing Concerns of Increased Recent Hate Bias Incidents

Hate bias incidents have been a growing concern for the Peterborough Police Service after posters from the Dominion Society of Canada have surfaced in recent days.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the Peterborough Police, the posters have appeared in the area of Douro Street and Rotary Trail and reflect the group’s stance on immigration, including remigration.

Peterborough Police state that while they understand the posters are controversial and many may not agree with this group's policy stance, the posters do not currently rise to the level of a hate crime.

The Peterborough Police Service wants to be made aware of hate-based incidents and thank those who brought the flyers to their attention.

 “There is no room for hate in our community at any time,” said Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service Chief. “The number one goal of the Peterborough Police Service is public safety, and the Service is committed to this goal. In this instance, what we are seeing does not rise to the level of criminality. There are currently laws within the Criminal Code that can assist and lead to charges.  As the community has seen, most recently last week (Aug. 13) when a Peterborough resident was arrested and charged for online comments, when grounds for charges exist, the Peterborough Police Service will apply them.”

Residents can report incidents through the online reporting portal.

Mayor Jeff Leal released the following statement:

“It has come to my attention that the Dominion Society of Canada, an organization identified by the Canadian Anti-Hate Network as a white nationalist group, has been putting up posters across our City.

City staff are following the City’s Reporting Vandalism and Hate Bias Incidents Procedure, which includes notifying the Peterborough Police Service. All incidents that are motivated by hate or bias are addressed with seriousness and sensitivity.

The City of Peterborough and its residents are committed to fostering a community that is welcoming, respectful, safe, and inclusive for all. We want to ensure that Peterborough is a place where everyone feels like they belong.

We have zero tolerance for hate and hate-motivated acts, particularly those motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate toward identifiable groups. Hate is not welcome in our City – full stop.”

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.