Dangerous offender spotted  in West Carleton

WEST CARLETON – After recently relocating to downtown Ottawa late last month, dangerous offender Aaron Gilpin has allegedley been spotted across West Carleton over over the last weekend (Sept. 12, 13).

Gilpin, 35, was deemd “a high-risk violent sexual offender,” by Ottawa police with “ a criminal history that includes a sexual offence involving a child, assaults, weapons offences, disarming a police officer, break and enters, and thefts.”

After residing in Smiths Falls for a short amount of time the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) informed the public Gilpin moved to the downtown Ottawa area on Aug. 22.

This weekend, several Ward 5 residents report seeing Gilpin in various parts of Ward 5.

Some residents reported seeing him along March Road. Another reported seeing him at the MacEwen gas station on Dunrobin Road. Other reports include residents seeing him on Old Second Line Road, Constance Lake Road and Murphy Side Road to name a few.

Earlier today (Sept. 13), West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly released a statement on the issue underlining the fact the police are aware he has been spotted in the area.

“As a follow up to the OPS information, please be advised we’ve had several calls from residents who’ve seen this man in Ward 5 this weekend,” Kelly said. “Contact with police has been made. As Ottawa police shared on Aug 21, they notified the public because the High Risk Offender Management Unit believes the man poses a significant risk to public safety based on his history. They ask that residents follow the guidelines in their post below.

“Anyone who observes Gilpin involved in criminal activity should not approach him and should contact the OPS High-Risk Offender Management Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 4395, or 911 in case of an emergency,” the OPS released in a statement Aug. 22. “Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca. This public safety notification is being issued under Ontario Regulation 412/23 under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, which permits the disclosure of personal information where there are reasonable grounds to believe an individual poses a significant risk of harm to another person or property and that disclosure would reduce that risk.”

Gilpin is described as:

• White male
• 35 years old
• Approximately 6’0”
• Medium build
• Hazel eyes