Recent Woodstock overdose deaths linked to fentanyl

Woodstock Police say a bad batch of fentanyl is to blame for two recent overdose deaths in the city. (Woodstock Police photo)

Woodstock Police believe fentanyl is to be blamed for two recent fatal overdoses in the city.

Inspector Jamie Taylor explained while he couldn’t fully connect the deaths, he said odds are the drug was the root cause.

“Typically, autopsies will be done on overdose victims to determine the cause of death. We believe them to be fentanyl based on the paraphernalia we saw at the scene. Purple fentanyl was used by the victims in both instances.”

Taylor added police will do a thorough and complete investigation any time a sudden death occurs.

“We look at where the person came from, who their suppliers are and how do we prevent this from happening again. There are investigative techniques we use when we come to these.”

Police are reminding residents that all fentanyl is dangerous, regardless of its colour. They add if you or someone you know is using substances, please take the necessary precautions but also seek help, get a naloxone kit.

Southwest Public Health has a number of resources available at https://www.swpublichealth.ca/en/community-health/community-substance-use-prevention.aspx?_mid_=105449.

Police issue scam alert

The Woodstock Police Service is warning citizens about fraudulent calls claiming to be from “Publishers Clearing House”(PCH). PCH is a legitimate company based in New York that offers sweepstakes and prize-based games; however, it does not email or call its winners.

Several local residents have told police they were scammed out of thousands of dollars. The PCH caller tells the victims they have won a substantial amount of money, however, they asked for $10,000 to pay the taxes on these winnings. They requested the funds be transferred through a financial institution, and when that isn’t possible, they will request that the cash is placed inside a rolled-up magazine, which is then to be gift-wrapped and mailed to a provided address.

Police say these are not legitimate calls and you should never provide personal information or send money to any organization that contacts you via phone or the Internet. Do not call the telephone number back as this will certify that your number belongs to a real person, and the number will be distributed to scam call centres.

Weapons call leads to charges

Two 18-year-old and one 16-year-old male from are facing serious weapons charges after police were dispatched to a call on Oct. 25.

Police say the three teenage males allegedly approached two young females in Brompton just after midday, brandishing a black replica handgun. The gun was pointed directly at one of young females and threats were made, causing the victims to leave the area. Police add the suspects entered a black vehicle and began to follow the girls as they were walking away. Police add one of the females was then forced to provide her social media information to the males at gunpoint before they fled the scene.

The three males are charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two of them also face a charge of pointing a firearm.

Woodstock Police are reminding the public that replica firearms appear identical to legitimate firearms, and they will be treated as legitimate until it can be confirmed otherwise.

Police asking for help from the public following tragic fatal collision

Officers responded to a serious motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Springbank Avenue North and Sloane Street on Halloween at approximately 8:45 p.m.

A 60-year-old male delivery driver from Woodstock was struck by another vehicle while returning to his parked vehicle. Despite immediate medical attention, the injured man was airlifted to a hospital in London due to the severity of his injuries but eventually died as a result.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the incident and did remain on the scene. Police say they are conducting an ongoing investigation and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Police can be contacted at 519-537-2323.