Police briefs: Renfrew County Labour Day charges, Illegal smoke sellers busted again, Shroomyz hit twice with arson

RENFREW COUNTY – The Renfrew Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid a total of 105 charges during the Labour Day weekend traffic initiative, which ran from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. 

“The charges included various traffic and Canada shipping act charges,” OPP Const. Tina Hunt released in a statement today (Sept. 9). “The Labour Day Weekend Initiative focused on conducting targeted enforcement on our roadways, waterways, and trails to ensure safe travel, and to prevent collisions.”

Officers will continue to be out conducting enforcement, working to ensure safety on our highways, trails and waterways. Please do your part.

The Renfrew Detachment of the OPP charged three people with impaired driving after responding to calls for service in the past week.

“On Friday, Sept. 5, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Renfrew OPP officers responded to a call for service, in the Town of Arnprior,” Hunt said. “The subject was located, and officers investigated the call.”

As a result of the investigation, Sophie Bedard, 40 of Ottawa, was charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Failure or refusal to comply with demand

 The accused was released and scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Oct. 8. 

“On Friday, Sept. 5, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Renfrew OPP officers responded to a traffic complaint, in the Town of Arnprior,” Hunt said. “The subject vehicle was located, and officers investigated the call.”

As a result of the investigation, Carter Leeder, 19 of Petawawa was charged with:

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

 The accused was released and scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Oct. 8.

“On Sunday, Sept. 7, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Renfrew OPP officers responded to a police information call, in the Township of Greater Madawaska,” Hunt said. “The subject was located, and officers investigated the call.”

As a result of the investigation, Keith Coupal, 33 of Renfrew was charged with:

• Failure or refusal to comply with demand

 The accused was released and scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Oct. 15.

The individuals driver’s licenses have been suspended for 90 days.

Crime Stoppers Pembroke/Renfrew County believes that someone may have information that could assist police in solving crimes. If you have information that results in charges being laid, you qualify for an award of up to $2,000. Call Pembroke/Renfrew County Crime Stoppers at 613-735-8477 or toll-free at 1-800-222-8477. You could help solve a crime. All tips remain anonymous, and you will not have to attend court. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. The telephones are answered 24 hours a day. Please visit the website.

OPP recover stolen vehicle

GREATER MADAWASKA – The Renfrew Detachment of the OPP charged one person after responding to information of a stolen vehicle in the detachment area.

“On Friday, Sept. 5, at approximately 9:20 a.m., Renfrew OPP officers received information of a stolen vehicle in the Renfrew Detachment area,” OPP Const. Tina Hunt released in a statement today (Sept. 9). “Officers responded to the information and after extensively patrolling the area located the stolen vehicle in the Township of Greater Madawaska.

As a result of the investigation, Samuel Aubin, 34 of St. Eustache, QC, was charged with:

• Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession of a schedule 1 Substance
• Fail to comply with probation order

The accused was held for a bail hearing.  

Renfrew shoplifting charge

RENFREW – The Renfrew Detachment of the OPP charged one person after responding to a theft complaint in the Town of Renfrew.

“On Thursday, Sept. 4, at approximately 7:10 p.m., Renfrew OPP officers responded to a theft complaint, in the Town of Renfrew,” OPP Const. Tina Hunt released in a statement today (Sept. 9).

As a result of the investigation, Charlotte Hepburn, 35 of Renfrew, was charged with:

• Theft under $5,000 – Shoplifting

The accused was released and scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Oct. 8.

Arnprior break and enter charges

ARNPRIOR – The Renfrew Detachment of the OPP charged one person after responding to a break and enter call in the Town of Arnprior.

“On Thursday, Sept. 4, at approximately 9 a.m., Renfrew OPP officers responded to a break and enter call for service, after the fact, in the Town of Arnprior,” OPP Const. Tina Hunt released in a statement today (Sept. 9).  

As a result of the investigation, Memphis van Wyk, 20 of Arnprior, was charged with:

• Mischief – destroys or damages property  
• Break, enter a place – commit indictable offence

The accused was released and scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Sept. 17.

Cigarette sellers busted again

ByWARD MARKET – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) seized a significant quantity of illegal cigarettes during a proactive enforcement operation in the ByWard Market on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

“At approximately 12:13 p.m., members of the OPS Central Neighbourhood Resource Team (NRT) observed a group of individuals in the area of Dalhousie Street and George Street,” the OPS released in a statement today (Sept. 9). “Upon approaching the group, officers recognized individuals previously involved in an Aug. 30 illegal cigarette seizure, and observed bags clearly containing contraband cigarettes.”

Under the Tobacco Tax Act, the cigarettes were seized.

“In total, officers confiscated 96 cartons and 174 packs, equaling 22,680 cigarettes,” the OPS said. “The investigation is ongoing. The Ministry of Finance’s Tax Compliance and Benefits Division has been notified and will follow up accordingly.”

This seizure is part of the OPS’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the illegal tobacco trade and enhance public safety.

“The OPS remains committed to working closely with partners to address these types of offences and protect our communities,” the OPS said.

Suspicious fire on Bentley Avenue

MERIVALE – The OPS is investigating a suspicious fire on Bentley Avenue that occurred on Sept. 6.

“At approximately 4:41 a.m., officers responded to a report of a fire in the 1–100 block of Bentley Avenue,” the OPS released in a statement yesterday (Sept. 8). “The fire was deemed suspicious, and the OPS Arson and Explosion Unit is investigating.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist investigators is asked to call 613-236-1222, extension 4587, or email arson@ottawapolice.ca. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.

OPP seize opium in Ottawa

CENTREPOINT – The OPP East Region Street Crime Unit and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have intercepted a shipment of suspected opium, used to produce heroin.

“CBSA border officers detected the package recently as it arrived in Ottawa from India,” OPP media relations coordinator Bill Dickson released in a statement yesterday (Sept. 8). “They contacted the OPP and provided information regarding the package which contained over 100 grams of the illegal drug.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, officers with the OPP Community Street Crime Unit, assisted by members of Ottawa OPP Detachment and the CBSA, executed a search warrant at the package’s destination, which was a location on Ryan Drive in Ottawa. One person was taken into custody by the OPP.

Gurpreet Singh, 22 of Ottawa, has been charged with importing a Schedule 1 substance. The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa on Oct. 14.

“The investigation is ongoing, and investigators anticipate charging two other individuals,” Dickson said.

More than 300 vehicles checked in Wolfe Island RIDE program

WOLFE ISLAND – A weekend traffic initiative, including RIDE programs, on Wolfe Island, resulted in multiple charges including one driver who was charged with impaired.

“On Saturday, Sept. 6,, members of the East Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team spent several hours on Wolfe Island,” OPP media relations coordinator Bill Dickson released in a statement yesterday (Sept. 8). “They conducted two RIDE programs, checking a total of 324 vehicles, as well as numerous traffic stops.”

One driver was stopped during a RIDE program, and an approved roadside alcohol screening device was utilized. The individual was arrested and transported to the Kingston Police Headquarters for additional testing.

As a result of the investigation, Philip Bird,75 of Wolfe Island, was been charged with:

• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Driving while under suspension
• Driving with liquor readily available

The individual was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kingston on October 28, 2025. Their driver’s licence has been suspended for 90 days, and their vehicle was impounded for seven days.

One other driver was issued a three-day suspension as a result of registering a warning on the roadside alcohol screening device.

As a result of the RIDE programs and traffic stops, officers also laid charges for:

• Three seatbelt violations
• Driving without a licence
• Failing to provide a driver’s licence
• Having liquor readily available
• Having an obstructed windshield
• Using an unauthorized licence plate
• Having an unnecessarily noisy vehicle
• Driving a vehicle with no catalytic converter (contrary to emissions regulations)
• Pulling an unlicensed trailer

One vehicle was taken off the road after being determined to be unfit for the road.

While OPP officers can’t be everywhere, we can be anywhere. If members of the public suspect someone is driving impaired, or is driving dangerously, putting lives in danger, they should call 911. To report all other incidents, call 1-888-310-1122.

OPS investigating suspicious fires at illegal mushroom shops

OTTAWA – The OPS is investigating two suspicious fires that occurred downtown Monday (Sept. 8) morning.

“The first fire occurred in the 150 block of Rideau Street at approximately 4:44 a.m., when a vehicle crashed through the doors of a business, causing both to catch fire,” the OPS released in a statement yesterday (Sept. 8). “The second fire occurred in the 300 block of Preston Street at approximately 5:02 a.m. in another business. In both fires, no injuries were reported.”

 Both fires were at illegal magic mushroom dispensaries called Shroomyz.

The Arson and Explosion Unit is investigating. Further updates will be shared as required.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incidents or who has information that could help investigators are asked to call 613-236-1222, extension 4587, or via email at arson@ottawapolice.ca.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.

License plate recognition leads to multiple charges

NEPEAN – Members of the Ottawa Detachment of the OPP charged an Ottawa resident with impaired driving and numerous other offences, following an alert from the Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) system indicating the individual was a suspended driver. 

“Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, officers were patrolling Highway 417 near Woodroffe Avenue when the ALPR system flagged a suspended driver,” OPP media relations officer Const. Jean-Michel Tremblay released in a statement yesterday (Sept. 9). “During the traffic stop, officers suspected the driver may have been impaired by alcohol. A roadside screening device was utilized, and the driver was taken to the Ottawa Detachment for further testing.”

Further investigation revealed the driver, who held a G2 licence, had two active driving prohibitions and no insurance on the vehicle. The driver was also carrying 10 passengers in an eight-seat vehicle, including children who were not properly secured. 

Sulu Juma, 43, faces the following charges: 

• Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs 
• Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) 
• Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code (two counts) 
• Novice Driver – B.A.C. Above Zero 
• Operate a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance 
• Class G2 Licence Holder – More Passengers Than Seatbelts 
• Fail to Ensure Toddler Properly Secured (two counts) 
• Fail to Ensure Child Properly Secured (two counts) 
• Careless Driving 
• Fail to Have Insurance Card 
• Fail to Surrender Permit for Motor Vehicle 
• Drive Motor Vehicle – No Currently Validated Permit 

 Juma is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa at a later date. In addition to the charges, his driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for 45 days.