Media Release – March 12, 2025

Wanted man tries to flee, gets arrested

A Guelph man faces more than a dozen new charges after he was arrested Tuesday evening on an outstanding warrant.

Approximately 7:25 p.m. officers were in the area of Norfolk Street and Paisley Road when they spotted a man known to be wanted for charges including break and enter. He tried to flee but was caught after a short foot pursuit. He resisted and tried to pull away from officers while providing a fake name.

A search incident to arrest revealed a modified slingshot, pliers and other tools and several pieces of identification and credit cards in other people’s names. Investigation revealed he is on probation with a condition not to possess weapons.

A 31-year-old Guelph man is charged with obstructing police, resisting arrest, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possessing break-in tools, possessing stolen property and several counts of breaching court orders. He was held for a bail hearing Wednesday.

Luring suspect now also facing child porn charges

A Toronto man earlier charged with luring and sexual assault charges for allegedly taking two Guelph teens to a hotel for sex is now also facing child pornography charges.

On February 1, two 13-year-old girls were reported missing to the Guelph Police Service. The two minors were located by officers and the Guelph Police Human Trafficking Unit began an investigation as the girls reported they had been taken to a local hotel by an adult male. The parties had met through a social media platform. 

On February 12, a 22-year-old Toronto man was arrested for two counts each of luring, sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching. He was later released on bail.

Following his arrest, police seized the man’s phone and later obtained a search warrant to examine it. As a result of that examination, he has now additionally been charged with two counts each of making and possessing child pornography.

He will appear in a Guelph court March 18.

Tesla seized indefinitely

A Guelph man had his Tesla seized indefinitely after he was twice caught Tuesday evening driving while suspended.

Approximately 5:40 p.m. a member of the Guelph Police Traffic Unit was patrolling near Gordon Street and Wellington Street when his cruiser’s automated licence plate reader alerted him to a vehicle owned by a suspended driver.

The vehicle was pulled over in a parking lot and the owner found to be in the driver’s seat. Investigation also revealed the vehicle is not currently registered or insured.

A 27-year-old Guelph man was charged with driving while suspended, driving without insurance and driving a vehicle without a valid permit.

The officer asked the man if he wanted a tow truck called to move his car from the parking lot, but he said he would make the arrangements himself.

A short time later, while the officer was completing his paperwork nearby, he saw the Tesla driving out of the parking lot onto Wellington Street West. It was pulled over and the same man was issued three more tickets for the same offences.

This time he was not given an option. To prevent continuation of the offences the car was seized under the Highway Traffic Act. It will be impounded until the charges are concluded or the owner is able to convince a court to release it.

Arrest after two strangers assaulted

A Guelph man was arrested Tuesday night after two others were assaulted by a stranger downtown.

Approximately 11:35 p.m. police were called to Macdonell Street. The caller advised he was waiting for a bus with two friends when a male not known to them approached and punched one of his friends in the face, causing his nose to bleed. He then punched the other friend in the face before walking away.

The three friends followed the suspect to an apartment building and saw him go inside. While officers were speaking to them, they observed the suspect looking down at them from his apartment.

A 21-year-old Guelph man is charged with two counts of assault. He will appear in court May 6.

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 254