Woodstock City Police briefs

Lee Griffi, Editor

Two teens charged after Southside Park incident police describe as hate motivated

A 14-year-old faces hate-motivated threats and weapons charges, and a 17-year-old has been charged with assaulting a police officer.

The Woodstock Police Service (WPS)received a report that a youth at the park had displayed what appeared to be a handgun to two other young people on Oct. 27 at about 6 p.m.

“The investigation found that the young offender approached the two youths and started an argument. During the argument, the accused allegedly directed racial slurs at them, displayed what appeared to be a handgun and threatened to shoot them. The two youths left the area safely and reported the incident. No one was physically injured,” said a WPS press release.

Officers responded to the park, located the 14-year-old and took them into custody. During the arrest, a second youth allegedly struck an officer and was also arrested. Police seized a replica handgun and a folding pocketknife.

A 14-year-old youth has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of hate motivated uttering threats, and resisting a peace officer. The 17-year-old youth has been charged with assaulting a peace officer.

Both accused were released on undertakings with conditions and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the release of the name of a young person. As a result, the identities of the young persons charged in this investigation are protected.

“Police take all reports of hate-motivated crime seriously. Replica and airsoft firearms can be impossible to tell apart from real firearms, and officers and the public must treat them as real until proven otherwise,” added the release.

Woodstock man charged in connection with Waterloo Region restaurant robberies

Waterloo Regional Police have charged a Woodstock male in connection with multiple cash thefts from restaurants in Waterloo Region.

Between July 5 and July 28 of this year, officers responded to five reports of thefts from restaurants in several areas of the region, including Fischer-Hallman Road and Bleams Road and Bleams Road and Highway 7.

In each incident, an unknown male stole cash from a till and then fled in a motor vehicle.

“As part of the investigation, on Oct. 23, WRPS' Central Division Direct Action Response Team (DART) executed a search warrant at a residence in Woodstock and arrested a 43-year-old male. He has been charged with five counts of theft under $5,000 and five counts of disguise with intent,” said a WRPS press release.

Police held the accused in custody for a bail hearing, and they are thanking the public for their help with this investigation.

Police arrest suspect following retail theft and foot pursuit

A 39-year-old male was arrested following a retail theft investigation that resulted in a foot pursuit through the downtown area on the afternoon of Oct. 20.

Police responded to a report of a theft in progress at a business on Dundas Street. Two individuals, a male and a female, were reported to have left the store with a substantial quantity of merchandise without paying before departing in a vehicle.

“While responding to the call, an officer observed a vehicle matching the description travelling on Dundas Street. The vehicle was subsequently located in the area of Fidler Avenue, where police attempted to conduct a traffic stop,” said a press release. “As the officer approached, a male matching the suspect's description exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The officer pursued the suspect through the surrounding area and eventually took him into custody.”

Further investigation confirmed that approximately $700 worth of merchandise had been stolen from the business. A 39-year-old male from London was charged with resisting a peace officer and theft under $5,000. He was released on an undertaking with conditions.