Media Release – December 9, 2025

Elderly dog-walker assaulted by stranger

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after an elderly man was attacked by a stranger while walking his dog Sunday night.

Approximately 9 p.m. the 69-year-old was walking his dog near Westwood Road and Imperial Road North when he saw another man walking his dog across the street. The two had a brief verbal exchange after the other man accused the victim of looking at him.

The victim continued walking, but then heard someone running up behind him and was thrown to the ground, striking his head and face on the sidewalk. He was transported by ambulance to hospital for treatment of a mild concussion and facial injuries.

The suspect was described as a black male in his mid-20s, 5’11” and wearing a bright orange jacket and black toque. He was walking a light brown or tan-coloured boxer-style dog with a curly tail.

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Meghan Hern at 519-824-1212, ext. 7138, email mhern@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.

Door sawed in half to enter business

The Guelph Police Service is investigating an unusual break-in during which a business door was sawed in half to gain entry.

Just after 3 a.m. Monday police were called to a business near Grange Road and Victoria Road North after the owner received an alarm notification.

Officers arrived to find the back door had been cut in half horizontally, with the bottom half pulled outwards but still attached to the frame. The suspect was seen on video entering the store with a reciprocating saw in his hand, but he fled moments later when the motion alarm sounded. He was wearing a black or dark-coloured hoodie, grey sweatpants, black running shoes and a dark-coloured face mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Jovan Dhanju at 519-824-1212, ext. 7805, email jdhanju@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.

Arrest after foot chase through backyards

A Guelph man was arrested after a foot pursuit Monday night through downtown backyards.

Approximately 9:45 p.m. officers spotted a man near Wyndham Street North and Douglas Street and knew him to be wanted for failing to appear on several charges including assault with a weapon.

The man fled, eventually crossing the Speed River to Arthur Street North where he began running through backyards. He was located but continued to resist efforts to handcuff him.

A 37-year-old Guelph man is charged with resisting arrest and failing to appear in court. He was held for a bail hearing Tuesday.

False fire alarms lead to arrest

Two false fire alarms at a downtown business Monday led to a Guelph woman’s arrest.

Just before 9 a.m. officers were patrolling inside the Old Quebec Street mall when a fire alarm was activated. Officers and mall security located an alarm station which had been activated in a stairwell. Police viewed security video and observed a woman in the immediate area just before the alarm sounded.

While officers were watching the video, a second alarm sounded in another area of the mall. A woman matching the suspect on video was located in the area of the second activation and was arrested.

During a search officers located a defibrillator which mall security confirmed was stolen. A 37-year-old Guelph woman is charged with making a false fire alarm, theft under $5,000, possessing stolen property under $5,000 and two counts of breaching a probation order. She was held for a bail hearing Tuesday.

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 205