Media Release – February 9, 2026

Man assaulted while sleeping

A Guelph man faces assault and weapons charges after his friend was assaulted while sleeping Saturday morning.

Approximately 11:30 a.m. police were called to an apartment building near Woolwich Street and Speedvale Avenue. A resident said he was awakened by a friend grabbing his neck and threatening him with a large kitchen knife before using the knife to damage the victim’s bed.

The victim was able to flee the unit and hide elsewhere in the building to call police.

A 38-year-old Guelph man was located and arrested. Following his arrest officers located a baggie of suspected crystal methamphetamine. He is charged with assault with a weapon, assault, uttering threats, mischief under $5,000 and possessing a controlled substance. He was held for a bail hearing Monday.

Denying name leads to arrest

A Guelph woman who refused to identify herself to officers Friday was arrested.

On Friday morning officers attended an address on Speedvale Avenue East for an unrelated matter. While on scene they spoke to a woman believed to be wanted for missing a court date on a number of weapons and property charges.

She denied being the wanted person and refused to identify herself. Eventually officers were able to confirm her identity and the 36-year-old was arrested for obstructing police and failing to attend court. She will appear in court Tuesday.

Arrest after false fire alarm

A St. Thomas man faces several charges after a false fire alarm caused the early-morning evacuation of a south-end condo building Sunday.

Just after 2 a.m. police were called to a building near Gordon Street and Poppy Drive for reports of an intoxicated man damaging a light fixture inside an elevator.

A short time later police learned a man matching the suspect’s description had been kicked out of a party in the same building after grabbing a woman by the neck.

While officers were looking for the man the building’s fire alarm sounded, leading to the building being evacuated.

An 18-year-old St. Thomas man was located in the area and arrested for assault causing bodily harm, mischief under $5,000 and making a false alarm of fire. He will appear in court March 24.

Van stolen

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a large passenger van was stolen over the weekend.

On Sunday morning, a resident near Waterloo Avenue and Alma Street South reported his black 2013 Ford E350 had been stolen from outside his home. The van has tinted windows and had two car seats and two booster seats inside.

Anyone with information is asked to call Special Constable Amanda Chalmers at 519-824-1212, ext. 7516, email achalmers@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.

The Guelph Police Service encourages residents to take steps to protect themselves from auto theft. This can include parking indoors when possible or in well-lit areas, ensuring vehicle doors and windows are closed and locked, employing anti-theft devices to prevent vehicles from being started or steered and using devices to block signals from electronic keys. Please report suspicious activity around unattended vehicles, especially during overnight hours.

Impaired arrest after driving off road

A Guelph man who drove his vehicle into a snowbank and then tried to convince passersby to help push him out has been arrested for impaired driving.

Just after 10:30 p.m. Friday police were notified of a vehicle which had become wedged on a snowbank near Woolwich Street and Baker Street. Officers spoke to the driver and noted an odour of alcohol on his breath and other signs of impairment.

He was arrested and transported to the police station, where tests revealed he had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system. A 29-year-old Guelph man is charged with impaired driving. His licence was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. He will appear in court February 24.

The Guelph Police Service would like to encourage the public to be responsible if they choose to consume alcohol and cannabis. Please don’t drive if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, and please ensure that you plan ahead so that you have a safe ride home. Anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver is asked to immediately call 911.

Total calls for service in the last 72 hours - 748