Police briefs: Impaired at March Road light, Tow truck towed after multiple violations, Rossland Avenue murder charges

KANATA – Members of the Ottawa Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged an individual from Ottawa with impaired driving related charges.

“Shortly before 3 a.m. on Jan. 19, an OPP member on patrol had exited Highway 417 at March Road, when they observed the vehicle in front of them fail to proceed through a green light,” OPP media relations officer Const. Michael Fathi released in a statement today (Jan. 20). “An approved roadside screening device was administered and as a result, the driver was brought back to Ottawa Detachment for further testing.”

Ngoc Vo, 33, faces the following charges:

Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs

Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus)

Green Light – Fail to Proceed as Directed, two counts

Motorist charged after driving through collision scene

NEPEAN – Members of the Ottawa Detachment of the OPP have charged an individual from Ottawa with impaired driving after he drove through a collision scene.

“Shortly before 11 p.m. on Jan. 19, OPP were attending to a collision on Highway 417 near Moodie Drive,” OPP media relations officer Michael Fathi released in a statement today (Jan. 20). “All lanes had been shut down eastbound, except for the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane which had been kept open to allow for traffic flow, to allow emergency services to attend to the involved drivers. This also included Ottawa Fire Services and Ottawa Paramedic Services. The driver drove through the collision scene before being stopped by police.”

Marc Beck, 56, faces the following charges:

• Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs
• Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus)

Beck is scheduled to appear in an Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

Tow truck towed for multiple violations

OTTAWA – Members of the Ottawa Detachment of the OPP laid charges against a local towing company and one of their drivers after a traffic stop revealed “numerous violations.”

“On Jan. 8, members of the Ottawa OPP Detachment conducted a traffic stop on a tow truck, which was towing a vehicle at the time,” OPP media relations officer Michael Fathi released in a statement today (Jan. 20). “The tow truck appeared to have numerous violations. As a result of the investigation, Queensway Towing had their truck impounded for seven days and the company faces the following charges under the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) and Highway Traffic Act (HTA).”

Charges include:

• Tow Operator – Fail to Comply with Prescribed Requirements and Standards
• Tow Operator – Fail to Ensure Workers Comply with Act and Regulations
• Tow Operator – Fail to Ensure Truck Meets Prescribed Requirements
• Cause or Permit Operation of Tow Truck Without Required Flares, Lamps or Lanterns
• Cause or Permit Operation of Tow Truck – Towed Motor Vehicle not Secured as Required
• Tow Operator – Fail to Include Required Information on Website or Social Media
• Permit Operation of Vehicle – Fail to Display Inspection Sticker or Proof
• Operate Commercial Motor Vehicle – No Valid CVOR Certificate

A driver for Queensway towing was charged under the HTA with:

• Drive Tow Truck without Required Flares, Maps or Lanterns

The OPP would like to remind motorist to Know Your Tow! As a driver, you have the right to:

• Decide who can tow your vehicle and to what location (unless otherwise directed by police)
• Call your insurance company for direction on tow companies, repairs and car rentals.
• A ‘permission to tow’ form must be signed before towing starts
• The towing company must provide you with an itemized invoice before receiving payment
• You are entitled to a receipt for tow services rendered
• You have the right to pay by credit card if you choose.
• Decline offers to store your vehicle at a tow compound unless directed by your insurer
• Never sign a blank contract or take referrals from tow companies.

West Parry Sound resident charged with child sexual exploitation

PARRY SOUND – The OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU) with the assistance of West Parry Sound OPP detachment members and OPP Digital Forensics Unit have arrested and charged a West Parry Sound, ON, resident following a child sexual exploitation investigation. 

“A search warrant was executed at the accused residence and several electronic devices were seized,” OPP detective Insp. Sharon Hanlon released in a statement Jan. 17.

As a result of an online child exploitation investigation, Jared Benson, 24, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

• Possession of child pornography contrary to the Criminal Code – two counts;
• Make available child pornography contrary to the Criminal Code.

The accused was held for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in West Parry Sound.

“Children are our most valuable and precious members of society,” Hanlon said. “Many victims of child sexual abuse are so young they cannot tell their story. Every time an image or video depicting that abuse is shared, that child is re-victimized.”

 The OPP will continue to aggressively identify and pursue individuals who use technology to exploit children. Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding Internet safety. Parents can find resources to assist them at cybertip.ca or protectchildren.ca.

 If you have information regarding internet child exploitation and wish to provide information anonymously you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Reporting information may also be made on the internet through cybertip.ca.  

OPS lay charges in Rossland murder

Murder charges in Rossland Avenue arson

NEPEAN – Ottawa police laid murder charges following an arson investigation started after a fire on Rossland Avenue last October.

“The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Homicide Unit has arrested and charged a man in relation to the Oct. 8 arson that killed 51-year-old Ottokie Kelly,” the OPS released in a statement Jan. 17.

Ahmed Hozayen, 30 of Ottawa, was charged with the following:

• First degree murder
• Arson disregard for human life
• Arson causing bodily harm
• Arson causing property damage
• Possession of incendiary material for arson

He appeared in court Friday, Jan. 17.